Define: Composting

Composting: The decomposition of once-living & plant remains. When decomposed the matter turns into an earthy & dark substance that is wonderful for enriching garden soil and houseplants. It is a wonderful way of recycling kitchen waste and keeping that waste out of landfills.

Composting can be done in many ways, some opt for a compost pile in their backyards, compost bins or an automatic composting like I have.

Composting has been done for centuries as a way to turn waste into useful material.

(Image:www.sequimwadailyphoto.com)

Define: Renewable Energy

Renewable Energy:

Energy that is generated (and naturally replenished) from the following natural resources:

*Sunlight

*Rain

*Tides

*Wind

*Geothermal Heat

Dependence on oil has become increasingly unstable due to war, price spikes and it's obvious impact on the environment around us. A move toward renewable energy is one of the most important moves we as citizens of this planet can make towards a future of possibilities.

Define: Certified Organic

We've all see the label 'Certified Organic' label on our products, they usually lead us purchase them don't they! But what does it mean exactly?

Certified Organic must follow the rules!

*Produce grown without the use of herbicides and pesticides
*No genetic modification
*No sewage sludge fertilization (pe-eww!)
*Farmers are required to conserve soil quality
*Use of non-toxic pest management

All those are great things, support organic lines! But remember small farms often can't afford the certification process but are running farms that follow all of those rules, sometimes more! So investigate your local farms and support them as well. Know what you are buying, purchase is power!

(Image: www.robinsonfarm.org)

Fair Trade Awareness Month

Since October is Fair Trade Awareness month I thought I'd make sure everyone knows what Fair Trade means and where to support!

Fair Trade is a market-based system which aims to promote stability in the market for emerging developing nations by ensuring workers receive fair pay, good work environment standards. In addition Fair Trade ensures social and environmental responsibilities, with emphasis on sustainability.

"Fair Trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers – especially in the South. Fair Trade Organizations, backed by consumers, are engaged actively in supporting producers, awareness raising and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practice of conventional international trade. Fair Trade products are produced and traded in accordance with these principles — wherever possible verified by credible, independent assurance systems." (Source: ^ European Fair Trade Association. (2006).

Fair Trade goods are becoming more and more readily available, which is great. Here are some ways to support the movement:

*Ben & Jerry's: Vanilla, Chocolate, Coffee or Coffee Heath Crunch Bar
*Dunkin Donuts: Iced Coffee or Iced Espresso
*Starbucks: Cafe Estima Blend
*Peet's Coffee & Tea: Ask for the Fair Trade Blend

In addition to those treats, you can purchase fair trade food, drink and handicrafts at Target, Wal-Mart, Safeway, Stop n Shop, Costco, Sam's Club, Trader Joe's and of course Whole Foods. Please comment here with any additional places you've found your favorite Fair Trade Items.

Spread the word!

(Image:www.waltshouse.com)

Define: Carbon Footprint

We often hear the term 'Carbon Footprint' but do we all know exactly what that means?

Carbon Footprint= a tool of measurement that captures the impact human activities have on the environment. It is describing the amount of greenhouse gases produced which are measured in units of carbon dioxide. The concept of the carbon footprint is an offshoot of the original ecological footprint.

Check out the following links for great carbon calculators

http://www.climatecrisis.net/takeaction/carboncalculator/

Here's a great link (once there, click Act, then Live Green and you'll find a carbon calculator)

http://www.conservation.org/Pages/default.aspx

(Image:www.lakedistricttours.co.uk)

Define: Organic Eggs & Forced Molting

When you buy organic eggs you are getting eggs from chickens that meet the following regulations:

Organic Eggs: Chickens are fed organic feed, have access to the outdoors and live in a cage free environment. Antibiotics can only be used during a infectious outbreak (as opposed to all the time like factory farms). Forced molting is not allowed. (see below)

And I thought you might need some further explanation of what Forced Molting is.....

Forced Molting: Chickens naturally molt to replace their old feathers with new ones. This happens at the beginning of winter when chicks are not born. (the hen stops laying eggs in order to stay warm and grow new feathers, this is a natural instinct in all sense of the word). Farms starve chickens for 5-14 days in order to send their systems into shock thus forcing the molt. Egg production and quality peaks after molting this boosting the farms production rate. It is considered cruel and inhumane by many. (For more on forced molting, Google: Forced Molting)

By purchasing organic eggs you are making a statement that you are against forced molting and cages!

(Image: craigiestreetbistrot.com)

Define: Certified Humane

There seems to be an endless amount of labels for food. Here is yet another one to look for! While it may seem overwhelming, think of it as a continual effort to protect your health and the lives of the animals. I think we can all do that!

Certified Humane- Chickens that have receive this Humane Farm Animal Car certification are given room to nest, perch and express natural behaviors. Basically chickens can be chickens.

Define: Biodynamic

Just when you thought you figured out what organic meant! Biodynamic is thought of as the "one step further"...

Biodynamic: This term refers to a type of farming that doesn't use chemical fertilizers, herbicides or pesticides (yes, like organic). For a farm to receive the accreditation of being a biodynamic farm they must enrich the soil, inspect plants constantly and hand remove weeds and insects instead of using machines. This process is said to yield better more nutrient rich produce and continues to enrich the soil year after year (instead of depleting it rapidly like convention non-organic farming does).
The Demeter Association is one organization that certifies farms in the US. In addition to the above requirements, farmers must plant indigenous flowers and trees as well as livestock (cows, sheep and goats). There must be a natural supply of water and in order to attract wildlife, 10 acres must be devoted to native flora & fauna. Wow!

You can find biodynamic wines and beers out there, I'll toast to that! To find a Demeter Association list of U.S. biodynamic farms check out www.biodynamics.com

(Image:www.thenibble.com)

Define: Cage Free

Cage Free: meaning chickens raised outside of cages, they are generally raised inside the barn with little or no access to the outside (where they should be). This term also does not say how crowded the chickens are packed in. Be wary of this one!

*note, this term is by no means regulated, the government not only doesn't regulate this term but also doesn't include any birds (chickens too of course) in any of their humane farming & slaughter laws. Think about that for a second, NO regulation. We see how "regulated" animals are treated, imagine how these are...


(Image: craigiestreetbistrot.com)

Define: Greenhouse Gases

So often we hear words thrown around in speeches, bumper stickers and conversation and we all nod along, but aren't 100% sure as to what they mean. Well Urban Branches is here to make sure you know exactly what you or someone else is talking about!

Greenhouse Gases:
Gas produced by the burning of fossil fuels, like when we drive or use electricity. What happens is those gases absorb sun radiation and trap heat in the atmosphere. Plants & rain can help counteract this effect but in the grand scheme isn't doing enough. We are burning too many fossil fuels! This imbalance can lead to gradual increases in temperature (both air & ocean) which could eventually lead to major weather related disasters.

(Image:www.environmentalsociety.ca)

Definition: Emissions

We all have heard the buzzed around the word "emissions" but it shouldn't be assumed we all know exactly what it is. I found a great definition in Natural Health Magazine last month.

"Emissions: When gasoline and coal burn, they bond with oxygen in the air- so they become heavier. (For example, one gallon of gasoline weighs six pounds, but when burned, it produces more than 19 pounds of carbon dioxide gas.) That's why it doesn't take much fuel to cause air pollution- and why small changes, like turning off lights when not in use, can improve air quality."

(Images:www.edmunds.com)

Green Your Diet Series V.6: Stearic Acid

I know that it doesn't always seem apparent why food ingrediants are on this environmental blog, I have been thinking about this a lot lately, and how I would explain myself. Well here it is:
I believe the following, what you consume, love, create, throw away and keep is what makes us who you are. Take that one step backwards and realize that everything you consume had a whole life before you came along to eat it.

I disagree with how animals in factory farms are raised and killed as well as what happens to them afterwards. I am not a vegetarian and don't plan on becoming one necessarily. What I consider myself is a 'ethitarian' (am I coining this term?), I care about what I eat and what it ate and how it was treated and so on.... It's easy to avoid a steak dinner, trust me, I've never had one. It isn't as easy to avoid the hundreds of products, both edible and non-edible that are in someway made from animal parts. Products you never imagined (I am sure many of you were shocked to learn that gelatin was made from animals!) are made from animal renderings.
So that brings me to the decision that this knowledge is vital to the health of our planet that we wake up and question the everyday norms, question where our ingredients are coming from and how they are made. We are putting some of these products in our bodies for god's sake!

To Summarize:

1.Factory farming not only treats animals with extreme cruelty but is environmentally damaging due to the use of chemicals, fertilizers, fuel, herbicides, antibiotics, poor waste systems in place etc.
2.The animals are turned into a products for humans consumption, beauty products, apparel etc. 3.Humans using products ignorantly thinking nothing is wrong.
4. Humans become generally unhealthy and watch as the environment deteriorates around them. (and all the while find someone or something else to blame other than what they eat)

All that said I believe strongly that each ingredient in our food and drink matters, and it is the responsible thing to do to learn what they are and if you want to put them into your body. A lot of times we make a bold statements while unknowingly still supporting the industry we are trying to stand up against.

So little by little I am trying to inform you all of what you are eating and small changes you can make that will make a huge difference. I believe strongly that eating mindfully will not only make you happier but healthier! The Green Your Diet Series is meant to help educate and give you the interest to question your ingredients and care about what you are eating. I hope it is working. Here is today's ingredient definition, I pulled this from a great site http://www.organicformulations.ca/know_no.htm check it out, it's a must! I will be posting from it again I am sure!

"Stearic Acid: Fat from cows and sheep and from dogs and cats euthanized in animal shelters, etc. Most often refers to a fatty substance taken from the stomachs of pigs. Can be harsh, irritating. Used in cosmetics, soaps, lubricants, candles, hairspray, conditioners, deodorants, creams, chewing gum, food flavoring. Derivatives: Stearamide, Stearamine, Stearates, Stearic Hydrazide, Stearone, Stearoxytrimethylsilane, Stearoyl Lactylic Acid, Stearyl Betaine, Stearyl Imidazoline. Alternatives: Stearic acid can be found in many vegetable fats, coconut."

Definition: Food Footprint

I found a great definition in Eating Well magazine I knew I had to share! Since I've recently posted about eco-footprints, what more perfect than defining FOOD FOOTPRINT

Food Footprint: " The amount of land needed to supply one person's nutritional needs for a year" (coined in a Cornell University land-usage study)

Definition: Locavore

Locavore- a person who tries to consume food grown, produced, processed (if needed) and distributed within a 100-mile radius. By doing this the consumer supports local agriculture and/or businesses and cuts down on the travel time thus cutting out the large amounts of fuel used to ship, drive or fly food around the country and around the world.
You can take part in this movement by purchasing locally produced goods, frequenting farmers markets, joining a CSA (community supported agriculture) that delivers you local farmed produce, dairy and sometimes flowers and eating what’s in season and grown locally (eating strawberries in December might be yummy, but I can bet they were shipped or flown in from far away where weather conditions allow them to grow during winter).

Locavore the word is said to have been coined in 2005 by a small group of women in San Francisco. Oxford American Dictionary declared ‘Locavore’ the Word of the Year last year! Yay!

So, find out what your state and cities around you produce locally, support those businesses and bam, you can call yourself a locavore! Easy as pie (made with locally and organically grown fruits of course!)

Go to www.localharvest.org and type in your zip code, state or city to find out what is available near you! Great site full of information! (Image:images.jupiterimages.com)

Don't get GreenWashed!

Beware of GreenWashing!
I was at lunch today discussing “green companies” and the topic of greenwashing came up. I thought it most important to bring this to Urban Branches for you all. How I define green washing:

GreenWashing: When a company claims they are doing something eco-friendly or green when they are really only doing it to gain profit or a better public image. While they may be making a lesser impact on the environment than before it doesn’t excuse the overall impact a company has on the world around them.
To me it’s the same as brushing your teeth with organic toothpaste but leaving the water on running at full blast while doing it. I mean come on, what is the priority, self love because you’re choosing something organic or environmental impact of your choices?

Please beware of companies who say they are “going green” or are being more “natural.” Really investigate their message and /or ingredients and practices. For example, there are companies that use a single natural ingredient such as an essential oil in their product and call the product the natural choice, while the rest of their ingredients are all chemicals that are horrible for both you and the environment. It is disgusting to me that companies are hanging onto the eco-friendly bandwagon by a thread catching the fame and glory and not to mention reaping the profits. I promise I will be adding specific product details to this topic and will continue to investigate it myself. I just wanted to get this out there while I am still riled up about it! Please let me know your thoughts and if you have product/brand specifics, let me know. When you do find a company whose commitment to nature and their consumers truly exemplifies the green message, embrace them and support them whole heartedly!
(Image: www.flickr.com/photos/velo_city/221532423/)