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~ Design, inspiration and the environment insights from Associates III Interior Design.

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Tag Archives: Environment

Raising Our Food Consciousness

18 Thursday Jul 2013

Posted by periwinkleporte in environment

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Chemical substance, Environment, Factory farming, Fast food, Garden

I have to confess that I rarely look at the news online, but this headline caught my eye recently: What’s really in your food? 

This article exposes the additives to our food that are the most obvious or have gotten the most press; I assume there are likely countless artificial ingredients that are added and we’re unknowingly consuming in our food. Can we avoid any/all of these chemicals, additives and ingredients in our search for nutritious, healthy foods? It may be impossible but my gut tells me that knowing where our food comes from is a key. Local—as in seeing it actually grown in front of your very own eyes. Local—as in supporting CSA’s and frequenting Farmer’s Markets. Local—as in asking for locally grown produce in your supermarket. It’s all about taking the initiative to speak up and ask questions.

Below are the ten listed—click on this link to read more details, how they’re used and the justification as to why they’re in play.

rBGH and rBST

Milk from cows treated with rBGH has a significant increase of the hormone insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), linked to breast, colorectal and prostate cancers. And rBGH and rBST can also show up in products like sour cream made with hormone-induced cow’s milk.
Where it’s banned: Australia, New Zealand, Israel, EU and Canada

BHA and BHT

BHA and BHT are widely used preservatives that prevent oils in foods from becoming rancid. Per the U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services, BHA “is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen …..” BHA is also suspected of triggering allergic reactions and hyperactivity.
Where it’s banned: The UK doesn’t allow BHA in infant foods. BHA and BHT are also banned in parts of the European Union and Japan.

Olestra/Olean

Fat substitute found in fat-free chips and fries; several reports tell of adverse intestinal reactions including diarrhea, cramps and leaky bowels. Because it interferes with the absorption of fat soluble vitamins such as A, D, E and K, the FDA requires these vitamins be added to any product made with Olean or olestra.
Where it’s banned: The UK and Canada

Potassium Bromate 

Added to breads to help the dough hold together and rise higher, studies have linked this additive to kidney damage and tumors, cancer and damage to the nervous system. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies potassium bromate as carcinogen possibly cancerous to humans. Ironically, it’s approved by the FDA for use in the malting of barley.
Where it’s banned: Canada, China and the EU

Arsenic

Notoriously poisonous, and a known carcinogen, arsenic has routinely been fed to chickens raised in the U.S. for decades to increase poultry’s weight while requiring less feed.
Where it’s banned: The European Union

Colors and dyes

Boxed mac and cheese, cheddar flavored crackers, Jell-O and many kids’ cereals contain red 40, yellow 5, yellow 6 and/or blue 2, the most popularly-used dyes in the United States. Research has shown they can cause behavioral problems as well as cancer, birth defects and other health problems in lab animals. Red 40 and yellow 6 are also suspected of causing an allergy-like hypersensitivity reaction in children. The Center for Science in the Public Interest reports that some dyes are also “contaminated with known carcinogens.”
Where it’s banned: Norway and Austria. And in 2009 the British government advised companies to stop using food dyes by the end of that year. The European Union also requires a warning notice on most foods containing dyes.

Brominated Vegetable Oil — BVO

According to the Mayo Clinic, bromine can accumulate in fatty tissues; linked to trouble with thyroid function and may affect the nervous system causing tremors, depression, and confusion. The FDA has flip-flopped on BVO’s safety originally classifying it as “generally recognized as safe” but reversing that call now defining it as an “interim food additive” a category reserved for possibly questionable substances used in food.
Where it’s banned: Europe and Japan

Doped Up Meat

Linked to hyperactivity, muscle corrosion and adverse effects on the cardiovascular system in humans. Some studies show that it can cause chromosomal abnormalities and behavioral changes.
Fed to cows and pigs to increase muscle mass, it is also one of the few fed to animals in the last days before slaughter (to increase its effectiveness). Experts speculate as much as 20 percent of the drug can be present in meat consumer’s purchase from their local grocer.
Where it’s banned: Europe, Russia, Mainland China & Republic of China (Taiwan)

Hawaiian Papaya

One of the largest crops from the Big Island is genetically engineered, a move supported by the U.S. government. On Wednesday, June 19, 2013, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said the United States supports the use of biotechnology to develop “smart” crops that can withstand disease, droughts and floods. Numerous studies have found animals fed genetically engineered foods suffered intestinal damage, bleeding ulcers, kidney and liver disease, and a host of other health maladies.
Where it’s banned: The EU, which does not tolerate genetically engineered papaya

Farm-Raised Salmon 

These salmon are being fed canthaxanthin, a chemical that perks up the trademark pinkish-orange color. Some studies have shown that a high intake can lead to pigments collecting in the retina, potentially damaging eyesight.
Where it’s banned: Australia and New Zealand

I’d like to hear if anyone has other ideas as we pursue safer, healthy foods for our families. Please share them with us.

—Debbie Hindman

Actions speak louder than any words you could say.

14 Tuesday May 2013

Posted by periwinkleporte in environment, inspiration

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Activism, Climate change, Environment, Fossil fuel, Fossil Fuel Resistance, Grassroots, Renewable energy, Rolling Stone

I personally appreciate Bill McKibbin being in our world. He’s an articulate activist and doesn’t mince words when sharing his point of view. I happen to agree with a great many of them, not all, but I’ve read a few of his books and always look forward to reading his editorials in Rolling Stone Magazine. (My youngest daughter has a subscription that I take a sneak peek through when it arrives and before she gets ahold of it. How else can I keep up with the music scene of today?!?)

McKibbin’s recent piece is titled:
The Fossil Fuel Resistance; as the world burns, a new movement to reverse climate change is emerging — fiercely, loudly and right next door

The thought provoking content of his message is worth a read. I made me think about our future and what we have to look forward to. And what I’ll tell my children and grandchildren when they ask — what did you say and what did you do, mom/grandma, that makes a tangible difference in our world?  Will they thank me for helping make a better place for them, to enjoy quality of life and a secure future on this beautiful planet?

hand in handOf course, they might not ask that particular question but in some way, shape or form, the question will come. It always does. As children grow and are instinctively curious about the world around them, they question everything. Don’t even think about saying one thing but doing another; they’ll see right through you, right? Actions speak louder than any words you could say.

If I believe in something, it only makes sense to me that I act on the belief of my convictions. This is what grassroots activism is all about and each one of us has many opportunities to participate on many levels — buying from a local business, helping a neighbor when in need, standing up for an injustice, subscribing to renewable energy source…..the list is endless.

I sometimes question if my one little step here and there can really make a difference; I have to believe that it does. It helps me to read the many examples McKibbin gives in this editorial that conveys how a groundswell of action is absolutely making a difference. The main focus of his editorial is fossil fuels and our inability to make the transition more quickly to renewables, and therefore slow down climate change. That such a transition to renewable energy will provide more jobs, three times more than the coal, gas and oil industry, and of course that it will more positively affect our environment.

Despite the objectors, naysayers and cynics, there is always a place for someone to fight the proverbial good fight against something we believe will cause harm. If we can put our own personal agenda aside and focus our intentions on the good of all, we will know in our hearts we’re doing it for the right reasons.

I am reminded that if you ask a child to do what you say, they may not listen. But if your actions are consistent with what you ask them to do, they’ll happily follow your lead.  Actions always speak louder than words. I am committed to making my actions speak louder than any words I could ever say and would love to hear how you’re making yours count too.

— Debbie Hindman

The Fossil Fuel Resistance: As the world burns, a new movement to reverse climate change is emerging — fiercely, loudly and right next door

These are serious people: You’re not a member of the Resistance just because you drive a Prius. You don’t need to go to jail, but you do need to do more than change your light bulbs. You need to try to change the system that is raising the temperature, the sea level, the extinction rate – even raising the question of how well civilization will survive this century.

Here’s the good news: We’ll at least be able to say we fought.

Snowy Springtime Promenade

16 Tuesday Apr 2013

Posted by periwinkleporte in inspiration

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A Snowy Day, Denver, Environment, Snow

We are in the midst of a springtime snow storm in Denver, yesterday big beautiful white snowflakes fell most of the afternoon and into the evening and the forecast is for more overnight into tomorrow. A tribute from nature, as if reminding us that we are at her whim and mercy. Bringing the bus into work this morning with yesterday’s tragic events on my mind, I wasn’t quite ready to ensconce myself at my desk when I arrived. Really, I would have loved a snow day to spend telecommuting from my cozy home office — instead I settled for a snow walk with a camera to ease my mind.

Perhaps I’ve been a little preoccupied with the benefits of walks recently; I posted this article from the NY Times on the topic to my Facebook page a few weeks ago and followed a week later with this infographic. And it worked — as I walked the LoDo streets and nearby parks, snapping pictures of the snowy scenery I began to feel more connected to this haphazard and, at times, unreasonable world we live in. Probably helped that the refrain ♪♫ so much beauty it could make you cry ♫♪ from a Modest Mouse song was on repeat in my head.

In hopes of passing on some of my snowy walk’s calming influence, here are an assortment of images from me to you:








We are shaped and fashioned by what we love. —Goethe

— Amy DePierre

Conscious REVERBerations

03 Wednesday Apr 2013

Posted by periwinkleporte in environment, inspiration

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Business, Environment, Jason Mraz, Organizations, Recycling, REVERB, Waste minimisation

Prompted by a recent email blast from Jason Mraz: songwriter, musician and environmental activist, I followed a link and discovered REVERB. This organization works with music tours to help promote recycling, waste reduction, and environmental education to fans and tour crew.

REVERB

On their site they say, “…being green is not all or nothing; many people doing some things will have more impact than some people doing everything. All of us can be active participants in protecting the environment and creating real, large-scale, and measurable change.”  You can also check out their recent tour partners. 

We can all spread the word in ways that touch us most.  For some, like us, we speak and act upon our environmental consciousness professionally through our interior finish and furniture selections; for others, like REVERB, it’s through songwriting and music.

Jason Mraz

What is it for you?

Every answer to that question is important so please continue to spread the word.

— Renee Keller

 

Happy America Recycles Day!

15 Thursday Nov 2012

Posted by periwinkleporte in environment, miscellaneous

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America Recycles Day, Earth911, Environment, RAFT, Recycling, Recycling resources

Did you know today is America Recycles Day?

I had never heard of this day before, so I did some research to look into the history of it.  Today marks the 13th year of America Recycles Day. Each year, Americans get together to make a pledge to increase their recycling habits. Interested in making a pledge this year? Take the pledge here!

On the America Recycles Day website you can check out events that are going on today or even start planning an event for next year! What I found most helpful was the Find Recycling tab at the top of their website. Here you can type in your zip code and figure out where you can recycle specific items. You can also find local recycling options on the Earth911 website.

If you can’t find where or how to recycle a certain item, a source that we’ve just been introduced to is RAFT (Resource Area For Teaching). It’s a place for teachers to find affordable classroom and art supplies.

Take a look and remember, everyday can be a recycle day!


—Michaela

Part 1: Bill McKibben – Global Warming’s Terrifying New Math

30 Monday Jul 2012

Posted by periwinkleporte in environment

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Bill McKibben, Climate change, Environment, Rolling Stone

If they regulate it we will toe the line. If they don’t where will the line be?

I posted this link to Bill McKibben’s recent piece in Rolling Stone Magazine on our Associates III Facebook page a week or so ago. It’s a compelling read; and I truly hope everyone will read it, listen and discuss it, respond to it. I’m not saying I agree with every single word but enough of McKibben’s message strikes home for me to cause action. Why?

Climate change is a serious subject and the sobering stats speak for themselves.  But do we pay attention to them? If you read McKibben here, sadly too few of us do. Are we relying too heavily on those “in charge” to pave the way for us?  If they regulate it we will toe the line, so to speak. How sad and completely ignorant are we; that unless a law or code requires us to comply we choose NOT to use our own mind, common sense and compassion to do the right thing. And protecting mother earth from ourselves is the right thing.

Those of us in the design-build industry can relate to this notion, I am sure; the many building codes in place we’re asked to adhere to are really so that the minimums in health and safety are met. Many of us seek to go above and beyond them, realizing there is so much more to gain by adhering to some higher standards, whether written or of the heart. Can we apply that same logic to climate change?

We respond to other horrific incidents in life such as the shocking shooting in the Aurora movie theatre with rage and grief. I am not down playing that awful experience one bit, only questioning if we should consider notching the survival of our planet higher up on the list too. Losing your loved ones is beyond doubt one of the hardest, if not the worst, experience we can go through in life. Losing our planet? Where will that factor into our personal experience too?

— Debbie Hindman

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