tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999839375974135252012-01-27T19:29:06.439-08:00Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.comBlogger2431100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-29642354693572478232011-10-31T21:11:00.000-07:002011-10-31T21:11:15.134-07:00

I am now posting at this site.

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-78281719819823986422011-10-06T12:36:00.001-07:002011-10-06T12:36:58.360-07:00

Seasonal eating brings new tastes into the home. And one of the healthiest fall food choices is the pumpkin. Many of us just buy pumpkins to carve, but they are actually very healthy and tasty too.Pumpkins have lots of fiber, which helps to keep your appetite in check. They are also full of vitamins and minerals, particularly beta-carotene, vitamin C, and potassium.Here's a fun pumpkin dip recipe

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-57042395884160882632011-09-14T10:20:00.000-07:002011-09-14T10:20:47.783-07:00

Why Seed Save?Learn about the benefits of seed saving, how-to's, and how it can help your family go green and save money with my article on ThriftyandGreen.com.

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-43402454733104043132011-09-08T11:04:00.001-07:002011-09-08T11:05:03.757-07:00

If you have a college student entering school this fall and are looking to cut costs, consider recycled textbooks as a way to save money and do good by the planet.Be the Early BirdRemember when you went to college? The “early bird caught the worm” in the race for used books on the shelf. Today, being early is still the modus operandi if you want a deal. But, the difference is you have more used

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-89693132770714224652011-07-11T08:28:00.000-07:002011-07-11T08:28:04.800-07:00

Have you found yourself craving cool-temperature meals and water-laden foods, like fruits?  These are the signs of a summer appetite.  Luckily, many of these choices are healthier for you and probably include more fruits and veggies. Eating more fruits and vegetables should be a year-round goal.  So why not make summertime a jumpstart into healthier habits for you? Here are some tips and

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-70039782237142005282011-06-08T06:00:00.000-07:002011-06-08T06:00:04.662-07:00

Video from my friends at Earth-Touch.

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-54306614000147689142011-05-09T16:08:00.000-07:002011-05-09T16:08:26.715-07:00

Check out dozens of short videos on food and sustainability at www.nourishlife.org!

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-24431407521987222882011-05-05T09:23:00.000-07:002011-05-05T09:23:06.799-07:00

The Nitrogen Cascade from Erin Siegel on Vimeo.

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-2164583084270827562011-05-03T08:21:00.000-07:002011-05-03T08:21:27.557-07:00

if (WIDGETBOX) WIDGETBOX.renderWidget('afc2166a-4b46-48b0-8cf9-fa4d63aa4a52');Get the Seafood Watch Widget widget and many other great free widgets at Widgetbox! Not seeing a widget? (More info)

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-42015027748398074072011-04-22T03:00:00.000-07:002011-04-22T03:00:01.567-07:00

Find local Earth Day 2011 Events here.

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-49691160095725529342011-04-21T07:40:00.000-07:002011-04-21T07:40:47.368-07:00

Nice little round up on what's new in eco fashion from Who What Wear.

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-70031329415506116912011-04-20T08:44:00.000-07:002011-04-20T09:01:08.479-07:00

Celebrate Earth Day!  A big thanks to my eco friend Diane MacEachern, www.biggreenpurse.com, author, Big Green Purse: Use Your Spending Power to Create a Cleaner, Greener World.  She has written up a helpful post on looking for green standards. When should you spend your money to protect the planet – and when should you keep it in your purse? Given the thousands of green products being

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-58599088181292909602011-04-07T09:57:00.000-07:002011-04-07T20:36:47.613-07:00

This is a live streaming feed of bald eagle parents watching over their new babies in Decorah, Iowa. Fascinating video! If you'd like to learn more, the National Wildlife Federation has up-to-date information here. (Note: if you're watching this at night, you can still see the nest because the camera turns to infrared.) Webcam chat at Ustream

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-65599213820372931812011-03-29T09:47:00.000-07:002011-03-29T09:47:46.587-07:00

"Wild Animal Baby Explorers" -- Check your local PBS station for airing details.

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-90357002505810445032011-03-21T11:00:00.000-07:002011-03-21T11:00:31.199-07:00

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-92091698981528394922011-03-20T16:20:00.000-07:002011-03-20T16:20:22.121-07:00

Guess this is one way you could teach your kids about nature ...

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-16192344092010385872011-03-09T09:46:00.000-08:002011-03-09T09:46:12.909-08:00

I filled up my car this morning -- $20 more for a full tank since the end of 2010. Considering that we are likely going to see over $4.00/gallon this summer for gasoline, I suspect that the per gallon price won't return to last year's levels even after summer. Higher priced gasoline is here to stay -- partly because of markets and partly because oil production has peaked. For the future,

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-83319482275893828082011-01-27T08:44:00.000-08:002011-01-27T08:44:17.930-08:00

If you are in the market to buy a new automobile, the Detroit Auto Show really showed the tipping point in what you might consider. For the last couple of years I have been talking about electric and hybrid vehicles, but beyond the Prius there wasn't a whole lot to choose from.  This is all changing rapidly with the emergence of electric vehicle hybrid plug-ins and electric-only autos from

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-18582826168249719902011-01-05T08:36:00.000-08:002011-01-05T08:36:59.307-08:00

If there were one "green" word that will find its place among the masses this year, I suspect it will be permaculture.  This isn't about probiotic yogurt or a revival of hair permanents, rather permaculture is all about everyday living and growing food in a way in which both are more harmonious with nature. We see evidence of this in the U.S. with the surge in home gardening, farmer's markets,

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-52816986498415557062010-12-29T13:26:00.000-08:002011-01-03T07:08:14.824-08:00

There's an inspiring story about Engelbert Farms from Organic Connections that is evidence of how you treat your soil and giving them opportunities for natural behaviors has a direct impact on animals and a farms' bottom line.  Even the Engelbert children are coming back to farm as a viable economic opportunity.  Read more here ...

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-73232504101973306762010-12-24T22:07:00.001-08:002010-12-24T22:07:59.440-08:00

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-27174952743664754982010-12-22T08:50:00.000-08:002010-12-22T08:50:09.072-08:00

Label reading, once again, becomes really important! Look for USDA Organic or non-hexane-produced to have less chemicals in your foods and the environment. And tofu or whole soybeans are minimally processed and are often your better ingredient bet. Here's a link to the Cornucopia Institute's full report.

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-20921884955860727912010-12-10T12:22:00.000-08:002010-12-10T12:22:08.543-08:00

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-82168596469935484292010-11-23T07:15:00.000-08:002010-11-23T07:15:28.509-08:00

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-2281564943190634412010-10-23T09:28:00.000-07:002010-10-23T09:28:51.500-07:00

Solar Gold: Mojave Desert Facing Ecosystem Collapse, Massive Extinctions from Robert Lundahl on Vimeo.

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-55298709224789562222010-10-07T12:23:00.000-07:002010-10-08T11:21:17.577-07:00

This is the final post of a 3-part series on the smart grid.  What it is and what it means for your family. In Part 1 and Part 2 of this series we learned about what is the smart grid and how it can benefit you. Today's posting is about legitimate consumer concerns about the smart grid, which are largely related to smart meter installations.  Smart meters are a two-way communication device

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-88067204735015230222010-10-06T12:17:00.000-07:002010-10-08T11:20:29.478-07:00

This is the second in a 3-part series on the smart grid.  What it is and what it means for your family.  Yesterday we talked about smart grid basics.  Today we're going to list some of the benefits for your family. Breathe easier: With more renewable energy being used and less use of polluting coal and oil, we can expect cleaner air. Cha-ching!  Cha-ching!: If you are able to install

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-77074630465024990232010-10-05T12:16:00.001-07:002010-10-08T11:19:25.923-07:00

This is the first in a 3-part series on the smart grid.  What it is and what it means for your family. The word “smart” conjures up immediate images.  School, tests, witty friends, Fox TV’s “Are you smarter than a 5th grader?”, rich, fast, Einstein, grid.  And, for me, the 11 year old in the audition waiting room who tells me “My I.Q. is 149.”  Hmmm.  Wait, grid? Yes.  “Smart grid” is now

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-49510820203369892652010-09-15T16:39:00.000-07:002010-09-15T16:39:23.135-07:00

Teachers and administrators LOVE parent volunteers. Every year when my kids go back to school there seems to be an even longer list of volunteer opportunities. Most schools are time and cash crunched, so if I can help out then that’s great. Everyone benefits. But what if you could help out AND do something good for the earth at the same time? Fact is, you can. And by helping out your

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-62885571303215194272010-08-31T16:53:00.000-07:002010-08-31T16:53:45.572-07:00

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-15813682114610941102010-08-08T23:27:00.000-07:002010-08-08T23:27:13.165-07:00

January Jones is Scared for Sharks from Oceana on Vimeo.

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-63825934822705566852010-07-22T11:14:00.000-07:002010-07-22T11:14:10.409-07:00

New bug in the compost this morning.  These Green June Beetles are so iridescent that look like they're from space.  I'll tell you, opening up the compost once a week is like watching science in action!

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-46527296330911686192010-07-19T19:38:00.000-07:002010-07-19T19:38:02.432-07:00

My CSA likes to give me beets.  Here's my favorite salad recipe to use up 3 cups of them at a time: BEET AND FETA SALAD Prepare ahead -- * 3 cups cooked, diced organic beets -- chilled * 1 cup cooked, chopped organic leeks -- chilled Combine beets and leeks with -- * 1 cup halve-sliced grapes (green or red) * 1 cup diced organic cucumbers * 1 cup basil/tomato-flavored crumbled feta cheese * 3

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-70200421898750912112010-07-12T11:38:00.000-07:002010-07-12T11:39:44.991-07:00

We just got back from a mini trip to visit family in Arizona, and boy was it good to get away from video games, computers, and the TV to see some country on a road trip! I've partnered with Milwaukee's MetroParent magazine to help to think of lots of ways you can kick the small screen habit with your kids this summer.  Read more here ...

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-81056339429563620882010-06-08T08:39:00.001-07:002010-06-08T08:39:24.398-07:00

Read my guest blog post at The Green Parent ...

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-60007112702511701902010-06-07T13:07:00.000-07:002010-06-07T13:07:21.690-07:00

One of the ways you can get your family to have more appreciation for nature is by experiencing it. This summer look for opportunities to get outdoors, into science museums, and into the garden. In years past we have frequented the California central coast -- hiking, exploring, enjoying the nature on the beach areas. This year, we're keeping it local. Over the weekend, we met up with

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-22700368950585422172010-05-24T13:11:00.000-07:002010-05-24T13:11:14.264-07:00

">

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-60094928381468472202010-04-05T08:16:00.000-07:002010-04-05T08:16:00.666-07:00

As we move into the growing season, think about taking a different approach this year to your weeds. Avoid using herbicides. Why? More information is coming out about how herbicide chemicals affect our environment and our bodies -- negatively. A study was published last fall by the Monell Center and the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in which it was found that testing of commonly used

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-6428182748591949792010-02-09T08:08:00.000-08:002010-02-09T08:08:18.871-08:00

Donate to Oxfam now!

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-14712897109548105212010-01-31T15:09:00.000-08:002010-01-31T15:09:53.062-08:00

Last Spring I was at a "Cooking for Solutions" event at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, learning about farming, fishing, and animal rights issues.  One of the panel sessions was on the "Humane Treatment of Farm Animals: Best Practices and New Directions" with Panelist Dr. Temple Grandin.  And her story is the focus of an upcoming HBO movie "Temple Grandin" on February 6.  Dr. Grandin has autism, which

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-81996262358401456552010-01-27T08:14:00.000-08:002010-01-27T08:14:06.713-08:00

Copenhagen Over, Now What?

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-46779752229867114422010-01-26T17:52:00.000-08:002010-01-28T13:21:54.580-08:00

Although there are many reputable organizations that are helping Haiti during this emergency time, I would like recommend Oxfam as an organization I feel would be an excellent choice in giving of your donations to help this crisis because the organization is not only attending to immediate needs like water and sanitation but also has a sustainable plan for country's future. Yesterday Oxfam

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-38655502753738288642010-01-24T16:36:00.000-08:002010-01-26T17:34:25.422-08:00

From the Christian Science Monitor -- 1/20/10  Ever since a 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit Haiti a week ago -- the most powerful to strike in 200 years -- stories of the extraordinary damage and suffering wrought by the disaster have [rightfully] dominated airwaves and front pages around the country.  The coverage and the outpouring of aid that followed have, for the time being, focused

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-34145633593495101042010-01-19T09:26:00.001-08:002010-01-19T09:44:23.522-08:00

Want to save money on school expenses and still go green?   Start with textbooks.  You can either purchase them used from a retailer like Amazon.com (sometimes only $.04 + shipping but can often take two weeks to receive) or through a private textbook loaner like Chegg.com (which has a variety of faster shipping options). The great thing about a book loaner -- which we might just call book "

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-78934920638981540132009-12-21T07:00:00.000-08:002009-12-21T18:05:33.774-08:00

UPDATED - 12/21/09, 5:40 PM Many of the world's leaders have now returned from Copenhagen's climate summit talks -- to some it was a real disappointment, to others it was a start.  This was supposed to be the opportunity talked about for over a year, when the world would come together and make binding agreements to reduce emissions to levels that would safeguard the planet.  They were also to

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-90336683861472140782009-12-17T09:11:00.000-08:002009-12-17T09:12:07.542-08:00

The New York Times has done an amazing job of putting together a new series on the safety of the water we use. You can also click on an extensive interactive feature that let's you know how tainted/untainted is the water in your state, county, and city. It's worth your time being informed.  Click here.

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-38828187339498404802009-12-16T22:23:00.001-08:002009-12-16T22:24:57.734-08:00

Al Gore - Call for Action from Project Survival Media on Vimeo.

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-18219973350687581452009-12-09T07:06:00.000-08:002009-12-17T08:54:02.112-08:00

Tomorrow is "Terra Madre Day"!! Never knew I had such an influence that Slow Food would name a sustainable food day after me. But, heh, it's okay to give myself a pat on the back now and then. All kidding aside, tomorrow is Terra Madre Day but not named after me. It is day Slow Food has set aside to promote local, sustainable, ethical food. This week, make a point to buy from your

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-46885789748027238952009-12-08T13:35:00.000-08:002009-12-08T13:37:13.083-08:00

More on supporting your local farming community from my earlier post.

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-39179051980703086512009-12-08T08:24:00.000-08:002009-12-08T08:41:39.133-08:00

What if nature had all the answers? Well, there's a new science afoot that is increasingly looking to the way the world works on its own to spawn new ideas to solve old and new problems. It's called biomimicry.Says the Biomimicry Guild "Biomimicry is an emerging discipline that studies nature's best ideas and then imitates these designs and processes to solve human problems."The reason why

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-67951798507977532872009-12-04T08:51:00.000-08:002009-12-08T08:45:41.475-08:00

The New York Times has an article today about adding yet another pharmaceutical to your beef to try and stem E. coli bacteria contamination from entering slaughterhouses. But, I say that it is only a band-aid. What really needs to happen is a change in culture that demands humane meat (which will immensely cut down the need for pharmaceutical intervention) and probably eats less meat overall,

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-12641516359162265622009-12-03T10:30:00.001-08:002009-12-03T10:52:00.829-08:00

Genetically Modified Foods (GMOs) are a serious health and food safety/security issue that is coming to public light. Documentaries like Food, Inc. and The World According to Monsanto have recently exposed in a more mass media way many of the serious GMO issues. The Center for Food Safety has been feverishly trying to protect the public from GMO's, including now going to The Supreme Court on

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-62702915292621339362009-11-27T13:14:00.000-08:002009-12-17T09:02:15.034-08:00

As I get toward the end of the year and in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I would like to thank the sponsors who have helped me to give my environmental work a lift: IC Bus / Navistar -- They have wonderful hybrid school buses! Arm & Hammer Essentials / Church & Dwight Co. -- They have worked to bring more eco-friendly products to the average consumer Brita / The Clorox Company -- I use my Brita

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-83415552197981458612009-11-17T07:00:00.000-08:002009-11-17T07:00:07.755-08:00

I love Thanksgiving! It doesn't require candy or presents. The weekend is long. Family is full. And after the meal is done, there's lots of relaxation.This year I ordered a heritage turkey. Makes me feel better about the meat part. Here's more info on choosing a sustainable turkey.And, going back to the basics of Thanksgiving gives us a more planet friendly approach to the holiday.Here's some

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-38790919033027326822009-11-16T13:50:00.000-08:002009-11-16T14:24:40.547-08:00

There are two new studies that have just come out that shower guilt all over two types of chemicals that wreck havoc on the bodies of boys and men. I wrote about these two chemicals in my book The Mom's Guide to Growing Your Family Green: Saving the Earth Begins at Home (St. Martin's Press). They are:BPAPhthalatesEnvironmental Working Group has reported on the hormone-altering effects of BPA

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-72130293018276759542009-11-03T12:17:00.000-08:002009-11-03T12:38:34.420-08:00

A Harris Interactive poll was recently released that outlined where we are putting action and money in being green. The top 10?Turn off lights when you leave the room (83%)Always/often recycle (68%)Always/often reuse whenever possible (65%)Replaced lighting with energy-efficient light bulbs (63%)Making efforts to use less water (60%)Paying bills online (46%)Donated an electronic device for

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-45137236251723290642009-10-28T12:51:00.000-07:002009-10-28T13:05:16.340-07:00

I have been concerned about the lifting of bans in many states to allow mercury preservatives into the H1N1 vaccine. Not all of us in my family will be vaccinated, but for those that will receive the vaccine due to susceptibility and health concerns I have tried unsuccessfully for the past week to find a mercury-free version -- one that would be free of Thimerosal. The only exception was if

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-64044675530271546492009-10-15T07:46:00.000-07:002009-10-15T08:11:19.487-07:00

This week, California's Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law what is being called California's Sustainable Seafood Bill. It is essentially a prototype for other states and maybe nationally in the certification and promotion of sustainable seafood.Currently, there is an Ocean Protection Council in California. This Council coordinates activities and sharing of data among all state

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-35921389715970848212009-10-02T09:37:00.000-07:002009-10-02T10:30:41.014-07:00

My local community-supported agriculture program is wonderful. All USDA Organic produce, all seasonal, all delicious, all community based. You can find a CSA near you at Local Harvest.

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-76357064589163958812009-09-30T18:21:00.000-07:002009-09-30T18:25:57.091-07:00

"Crude" is a crushing documentary-thriller about the destruction of the Ecuadorian rain forest by oil giants. Be aware -- tell your friends -- get involved with organizations who will fight oil corporations into cleaning up and stopping their atrocities against nature and the area's indigenous people.

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-72260770594290000492009-09-27T21:48:00.000-07:002009-09-27T22:19:05.610-07:00

The World Wide Views Project has been established and coordinated by The Danish Board of Technology and The Danish Cultural Institute to define and communicate opinions about global warming to those attending and making decisions at the upcoming Climate Change Conference (COP15) in Copenhagen in December 2009. You may have heard about the COP15 in U.N. news reports last week.The WWV project has

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-60785523046434333202009-09-27T21:39:00.000-07:002009-09-27T21:42:23.536-07:00

I love this very quick Ted talk on how to clean up your indoor air with plants. I talk about this in my book, giving additional suggestions.

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-68693293152684923232009-09-18T07:18:00.000-07:002009-09-18T09:05:48.971-07:00

I attended the NRDC's Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. speech in Santa Monica last night. He is a riveting and motivational speaker. Issues that he is focusing on these days are related to energy. His Washington Post Op-Ed from July about the atrocities of coal is disturbing enough to make you want to cry AND write a passionate letter to Obama to plead for justice.The extraction operation that Kennedy

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-60858822991722882412009-08-31T10:40:00.000-07:002009-08-31T11:05:33.880-07:00

ForestEthics, a non-profit organization that protects endangered forests and wild places, has issued a Green Grades Report outlining retailers who are using their purchasing power to benefit the environment, selecting FSC-certified paper products, and phasing out paper products that come from endangered forests.Surprisingly, FedEx Office (aka Kinko's) has the best grade: A-. They avoid using

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-62252891818844506632009-08-30T23:43:00.000-07:002009-08-30T23:47:29.320-07:00

Embedded video from CNN Video

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-51478538805401868122009-08-26T11:03:00.000-07:002009-08-26T11:11:30.921-07:00

Slow Food USA is asking you to sign this petition by September 7. You would be asking the federal government to provide your children with real food during the school lunchtime. Real food is "good at every link in the chain. It tastes good, it’s good for us, it’s good for the people who grow it, it’s good for our country and it’s good for the planet," say the Slow Food USA organizers.Petition

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-81596916202262313712009-08-26T10:18:00.001-07:002009-08-26T10:28:08.260-07:00

If you saw the documentary Food Inc., then you've been introduced to the importance of seeds and how allowing farmers to capture seeds, store them, and nurture their own varieties is critical to our economics and sustainability of crops. Yesterday, NPR's Marketplace program aired a story about the necessity of native seeds and how through industrialization of crops we have lost so many seed

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-47185401541513284942009-08-24T21:08:00.000-07:002009-08-24T21:36:56.824-07:00

Time Magazine's August 31, 2009 issue focuses on food issues, similar to what was covered in the documentary Food, Inc. And on the heels of this issue is a KCRW radio segment on this very issue, with the Time Magazine article staff writer, Bryan Walsh, and Rancher Joel Salatin offering the most truthful accounts of the issues at stake. You can listen to the podcast version below (it's the

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-38273462823674792522009-08-14T10:37:00.000-07:002009-08-14T10:50:10.898-07:00

I wrote about the Greenpeace guide to greener tissue products several months ago. Now there is a new development in that the activist organization has been able to put enough pressure on one of the largest producers of tissue products to really make a difference. The Kimberly-Clark company will now be using more recycled content in its paper products and also require FSC certification. You can

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-64560441342103843592009-08-14T10:20:00.001-07:002009-08-14T10:51:21.572-07:00

With all that recycling (also called recycled post consumer waste, or PCW) we're doing, it's got to go somewhere ... and hopefully somewhere useful. In fact, more and more products are popping up with PCW content listed.I was in Walmart yesterday and saw a whole section devoted to 100% post consumer waste cards -- "100% post consumer waste" was the headlining sign to get your attention. They

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-28508120303966251522009-08-05T20:19:00.000-07:002009-08-11T07:48:49.932-07:00

The USDA has announced a public comment period for the new consumer label of BioPreferred. The label is meant to help better identify products that "are composed wholly or significantly of biological (biobased) ingredients - renewable plant, animal, marine or forestry materials."While there are significant benefits, there are also some concerns. And you as a consumer have the chance, until

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-719926519859898062009-08-03T19:00:00.000-07:002009-08-03T20:08:06.084-07:00

Yet another horrifying documentary has come out -- The Cove -- that chronicles the hidden destruction and captivity of wild dolphins ... all for greed and profit.While a couple of months ago, I talked about the more broad-based ocean problems featured in the excellent documentary The End of the Line, this documentary is focused on a more specific problem in Japan that has reverberating effects

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-12518311591049093842009-07-09T07:30:00.000-07:002009-07-09T13:51:46.567-07:00

Many areas of the West, and some places in the Southeast, have been undergoing water shortages. With climate change already underway and many underground water sources already tapped, it is inevitable that less water will be the norm in the foreseeable future. As a result, you may already be experiencing water restrictions in your area and may be wondering what you can do to save your landscape -

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-67752772346092003502009-07-02T22:29:00.000-07:002009-07-02T22:50:12.759-07:00

Another revisitation today -- this time with air quality. There's was an interesting interview today with Chip Jacobs and William Kelly at the NPR station KCRW in Los Angeles talking about smog and how it relates to particulate matter and global warming. Regarding particulate matter -- they addressed the same issues I talked about almost exactly a year ago. Those issues being that the pollution

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-7488569972018794232009-07-02T11:47:00.001-07:002009-07-02T12:05:51.654-07:00

You are going to see more and more "naturally" labeled tissue products coming out, as the green movement swiftly moves through all consumer goods. One such example is tissue products. I wrote about how to select greener tissue products a couple of months ago in a two-part series, but now that some of the larger companies are starting to gain more distribution I will mention some key points again

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-6851461771844702502009-07-01T19:21:00.000-07:002009-07-01T19:37:44.503-07:00

If you've seen the documentary "Food, Inc." (see my review here) or have been staying on top of news in the farming and organic industry, this past week was a potential tipping point in the favor of conscious consumers and non-industrialized ranchers and farmers. According to The Center for Food Safety's report "the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has re-affirmed its previous

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-77732008732081655562009-06-27T09:27:00.000-07:002009-06-27T09:44:41.632-07:00

I was at my local farmer's market this morning. Thankfully it was busy. Hopping with customers and lots of produce booths. Most of my vegetables I now get from my local CSA (see my post about community supported agriculture) and would love nothing more than for my CSA to have a pickup spot at my local farmer's market -- here's hoping. So, I buy extra, needed veggies (like if I need more lettuce

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-66078680074137573622009-06-24T23:30:00.000-07:002009-06-25T08:22:43.005-07:00

In another film review this week, I present "Food, Inc." A trailer is posted below.This documentary has received more press and interest than my last review "The End of the Line" but both films are equally important and required films, I believe, for the public and politicians at large."Food, Inc." deals with the industrialization, ownership, and safety of our food -- your food, your family's

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-25756380114443049502009-06-22T16:09:00.000-07:002009-06-22T16:31:43.514-07:00

This is the first in a series of reviews that I will role out this week of planet/people focused films that I've recently seen.Over the weekend I saw The End of the Line, a film about overfishing and the state of the oceans' marine life. Recently I talked about the film, after being introduced to Charles Clover at a Monterey Bay Aquarium event in May. Clover is the author of a book by the same

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-32408354468926271652009-06-17T07:00:00.000-07:002009-06-17T07:00:00.123-07:00

Yesterday, the White House released an extensive report on global warming's effects on the U.S. -- "Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States." The findings are not new, if you've been following global environmental events, but they surely are revealing in terms of the seriousness that we find ourselves in.In the findings, we can expect ... more devastating fires, "wild west shoot outs"

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-49959611620379212122009-06-10T07:00:00.000-07:002009-06-10T07:00:00.213-07:00

CNET.com, which reviews and reports on electronics and its industry, has now started to add the Greenpeace Guide to Greener Electronics on the specifications info of many electronics details found on CNET's site.CNET is listing the green info under "Sustainability" along with the Greenpeace score.Here is a sample -- scroll to the bottom to see the sustainability rating.

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-66099092093303912282009-06-09T08:00:00.000-07:002009-06-09T08:00:00.199-07:00

I love this program idea -- ship off high school and college students to work with Greenpeace for a term. Awesome! Greenpeace has what they call a "Greenpeace Organizing Term" to train students how to become environmental leaders and activists, how to run a campaign, leadership and organizing skills, and they obtain solid environmental connections and relationships, as well as are educated about

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-33144684046692614052009-06-08T06:00:00.000-07:002009-07-01T11:34:47.646-07:00

The oceans are in trouble. Two of their biggests issues are overfishing and warming (due to climate change). One of these issues is immediately solvable. Imagine that.The solvable issue is overfishing. I wrote about this issue in a previous post: Will There Be Seafood For Your Children When They Are Your Age? Solving this issue is so simple yet so complex.The simple part is just stop fishing so

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-41656079678488019952009-05-28T10:33:00.000-07:002009-05-28T10:33:00.219-07:00

My family and I recently joined the South Central Farmers' Cooperative Community Supported Agriculture group -- a mouthful ... SCFCSA for short. I located them through Local Harvest, a website where you can find local farmer's markets, farms, CSA's, and co-ops. A CSA is an organized effort to connect people in a community with their local farmers -- in a VERY CHEAP way. A box of USDA-certified

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-56968879177592636352009-05-27T11:30:00.000-07:002009-05-27T12:11:35.244-07:00

Although I have found databases through Environmental Working Group, like the Cosmetic Safety Database, to be very helpful when considering the purchase of personal care items. This new site, the GoodGuide, offers even more information on a wider umbrella of products -- food, personal care, household chemicals, and toys. The GoodGuide gives an easily understood score on products so you can

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-66194780234019836522009-05-27T07:00:00.000-07:002009-05-27T16:47:36.035-07:00

UPDATE, 4:45 PM: Smits' organization sent me this info "We recently had our Mother's Day campaign: M.O.M. - Missing Orangutan Mothers. You can learn more about the campaign here:http://redapes.org/mom Orangutans are critically endangered in the wild because of rapid deforestation and the expansion of palm oil plantations. If nothing is done to protect orangutans, they could be extinct in less

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-86781692337514790012009-05-26T07:00:00.000-07:002009-05-26T07:00:00.267-07:00

National Geographic has released its "Greendex" results for 2009 -- a ranking of consumers' green behaviors -- with some surprising results.The top green consumers in the world come from India, China, and BrazilJapan, the U.S., and Canada scored the lowest -- Mexico, South Korea, and Russia scored much higher!Wealthier countries had a greater impact on the environment than lower-income countries

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-90695139556436695502009-05-21T10:05:00.000-07:002009-06-07T19:13:24.849-07:00

After coming back from an important environmental meeting about our oceans, land, and food at the Monterey Bay Aquarium last week, I am more convinced than ever before that we all need to take food and ocean issues more seriously.Although there are many critical environmental issues -- climate change, depletion of soils, renewable energy -- one of our top priorities must be in saving and

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-31339494716566327102009-05-20T07:00:00.000-07:002009-05-20T09:08:44.109-07:00

There is a growing movement toward out-right banning of many toxic chemicals throughout the world.In another sign of this trend, at the conference for the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants in Geneva, Switzerland earlier this month there was an international agreement made on banning nine toxic chemicals.The May 9th press release reads "Nine persistent organic pollutants (POPs)

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-63761017112518096812009-05-14T07:00:00.000-07:002009-05-14T07:00:00.422-07:00

Growing up, my family would often go camping. My father was raised a farmer in Southern Arizona who spent much of his youth outside on the farm or up in the mountains. My mother spent her summers as a youth in the mountains of Northern Arizona herding cattle on horse and hiking the woods with her brother. So both my parents wanted to impart some of that love for nature to their city-raised

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-61198694107915375852009-05-12T10:59:00.001-07:002009-05-12T11:12:00.536-07:00

Here's the link to vote for the winner.Pics include -- by Grace Para, 8, Sanford School, Hockessin, DEby Austin Gage Druid, 12, Van Devender Middle School, Parkersburg, WV by Meaghan Parker, 17, Spaulding High School, Rochester, NH

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-54501046977527504372009-05-11T10:00:00.000-07:002009-05-11T10:00:00.724-07:00

This is the question we should all be asking ourselves after "The Obama administration said Friday that it would retain a wildlife rule issued in the last days of the Bush administration that says the government cannot invoke the Endangered Species Act to restrict emissions of greenhouse gases threatening the polar bear and its habitat." (New York Times)Are we witnessing the end of a species? The

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-15298076367103759282009-05-11T07:00:00.000-07:002009-05-11T07:00:00.202-07:00

I have been one of the judges for the America's Greenest School Campaign, and we have selected the top 10 green essays from children across the U.S. Now we would like you to vote for the winner. Go to www.americasgreenestschool.com to learn more!

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-50015107672896646912009-05-08T10:22:00.000-07:002009-05-08T10:40:41.416-07:00

There are not better examinations of e-waste (electronic waste) than can be found in watching two films: Disney Pixar's Best Animated Film "Wall-E" and the award-winning documentary "Manufactured Landscapes." Both tell the tale of overwhelming trash -- one fictional, the other not. According to Pike Research --"... the e-waste crisis will worsen over the next several years until 2015, when volume

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-63794822435551119392009-05-05T10:21:00.000-07:002009-05-05T11:11:09.664-07:00

The super-conservative, climate-change-denier Oklahoma Republican Senator James Inholfe is joining with Al Gore and other Democrats "in putting forward a bill for an official review of the dangers of soot or 'black carbon' to public health and the environment." (The Guardian) In the past Inholfe has even ridiculed Gore on his environmental evidence and stances. So what's different now?Ah. The

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-89644335329075376472009-05-04T14:19:00.000-07:002009-05-04T14:21:02.037-07:00

Embedded video from CNN Video

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-45684681022691522542009-05-04T11:36:00.000-07:002009-05-04T23:25:38.682-07:00

I've seen a number of reviews about my book, The Mom's Guide to Growing Your Family Green: Saving the Earth Begins at Home in which parents have found the book very helpful in understanding how to go green, the many eco options available, and hard-to-find detailed info. But one question that is often posed to me is "How can I get my child to be more eco friendly?"Wouldn't it be great if there

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-28197739916643742982009-05-02T13:48:00.000-07:002009-05-02T21:50:48.302-07:00

National Women’s Health Week 2009 is May 10-16. A top health issue for women and their families is reducing the amount of chemicals in the environment and in your everyday life.Our environment and our bodies have been shouldering an ever-increasing amount of toxic substances. According to Environmental Working Group, only five of the 80,000 chemicals on the market have been regulated under the

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-25404124260879465222009-04-30T07:00:00.000-07:002009-04-30T07:00:00.776-07:00

I wrote up a post last week about choosing green tissue products and why it is better to do so for the planet and your health. I pointed you toward the main things to look for on the packaging and Greenpeace's tissue guide.In this second part of that article, I tackle the problem of actually finding greener tissue products near your home.I went to Target this past week to try to find any green

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99983937597413525.post-72879493332446639162009-04-28T16:43:00.000-07:002009-04-30T22:22:59.050-07:00

Update 4/30/09 -- This link has solid advice on improving your chances of not getting the swine flu by increasing your immunity. Update 5:35 PM -- You can also check the National Center for Homeopathy's website for updated information on using specific homeopathic medicines for the swine flu. Homeopathy has a particularly good track record in healing people during an epidemic.In looking at news

Terra Wellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07662444805869893731noreply@blogger.com0