Thursday, April 29, 2010

SMH

Came across this article on www.veganloveplanet.com
I cant say that I am shocked..but I am still saddened nonetheless. When will we stop ignoring whats going on in the world?

Apr 13, 2010
100 Percent of Fish in U.S. Streams Found Contaminated with Mercury

(NaturalNews) In a new study conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), every single fish tested from 291 freshwater streams across the United States was found to be contaminated with mercury.
"This study shows just how widespread mercury pollution has become in our air, watersheds and many of our fish in freshwater streams," said Interior Secretary Ken Salazar.
Mercury is a potent neurotoxin that builds up in the food chain at ever higher concentrations in predators such as large fish and humans. It is especially damaging to the developing nervous systems of fetuses and children, but can have severe effects on adults, as well. The pollutant enters the environment almost wholly as atmospheric emissions from industrial processes, primarily the burning of coal for electricity. It then spreads across the plant and settles back to the surface, eventually concentrating in rivers, lakes and oceans, where it enters the aquatic food chain.
The number one cause of human mercury poisoning in the United States is the consumption of fish and shellfish.
Researchers tested the water, sediment and fish of the 291 streams between 1998 and 2005. Fish tested were mostly larger species near the top of the food chain, such as largemouth bass.
All fish were contaminated with mercury, more than 66 percent of them at levels higher than those set by the Environmental Protection agency as a "level of concern for fish-eating mammals," according to Reuters. More than 25 percent of the fish were contaminated at levels higher than those set as the threshold for human consumption.
The study is the first to focus on mercury contamination of streams, rather than lakes, reservoirs, wetlands or oceans. The researchers found the highest mercury concentrations in fish from the coastal blackwater streams of the Southeast. Apparently the combination of pine forests and wooded wetlands found in these regions transforms mercury very effectively into its more toxic organic form (methylmercury). Mercury concentrations were also high in streams fed from areas with a history of mining.

Source: Natural News.com

Great site

www.greenlivingtips.com I found this site through facebook. The articles are very informative and the tips are great. I just found it but I will post articles and tips to share with others asap. Check it out. Save The World!

QUOTE OF THE DAY, OF THE MONTH, YEAR, MY LIFE I HOPE.

"The woman who follows the crowd will usually go no further than the crowd. The woman who walks alone is likely to find herself in places no one has ever been before."
— Albert Einstein

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

IMAGE OF THE DAY

IMAGE OF THE DAY

Your Life Quote Pictures, Images and Photos

monday a lil late

I write my blog posts on Word before I post them and I never got around to post this one. Its from Monday..
UPDATE: DAY 3 OF MY LACTO-OVO VEGETARIANISM IS TODAY..... YAY!

4/26

DAY ONE
Today is the start of a new era for me. Im very excited to say the lease and Im off to a good start. I have started my new lifestyle as a vegetarian today and I couldn’t be any happier. I’ve been wanting to do this for a long time but as always I take the easy route and procrastinate but no more will do that. No more drinking either. That is such a huge issue for me. I really want to just stop all together. I have a problem and I can admit that. I cant have just one drink. I have to keep going and going. So Im done with that. I hope.


Quote Pictures, Images and Photos

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

BACK ON TRACK

TRAIN TRACKS Pictures, Images and Photos

In the recent months I have fallen off track a little bit and let outside distractions lead me away from my goals and ideas. Today is the day I get back on that horse and GET RIGHT. Ive let a a lot of frivolous factors affect my judgement and strayed from my true self. I am making a lot of changes in my life for the better. There is so much I want to do, try, ACHIEVE. I made myself a sort of bucket list but I wll try to start crossing things off my list far before I “kick the bucket” so to speak. On the top of my list I would really like to start with myself. Changing who I am for the better. I like to think of myself as a good moral person but sometimes I catch myself doing things that are less than kind subconsciously or consciously to others and to myself. I think the first step was realizing this about myself. Now I am making a conscious effort to be a better person, inside and out. We will see how that pans out since I tend to be a bit moody and mean at times. But I think being better outwardly will make me be better inwardly(if that’s a word) and vice a versa.
I am also looking into becoming a vegetarian. Not only for my health but for the betterment of the environment, moral issues, etc. My ultimate goal is vegan.
Another wish of mine is find my own little home. A place where I can belong, to something, to me. I crave stability and security. I never had that as a kid. If I have to do it alone, so be it. I am coming to terms with being single. I had always lived for that partner but nobody ever lived for me. Its time for Mandy to live for herself on her own terms. That’s a whole other story…not for today. Haha
I also want to go to school. Really go to school and stick with it. If Im going to stay single for an extended period. Not even that really. I want to be self sufficient and independent for myself.
These are just the first most important to do’s for me. Plus I really want to lose weight. At least 20-25 lbs. I know I can do it. Ive done it before. I can do it again. I just have to really put my mind to it. “set goals and you can achieve them.” –jay z
Anything is possible. Ive been able to conquer several “addictions” in the past and these seemed harder than this so I know I can do it. Its just a matter of really setting my mind to it but I know I have the determination now I just need to get it in gear.
Starting today no more fast food, workouts everyday, no more beer! Also no more milk which oh my god gonna be probably the hardest thing I will ever do to date. Milk is my favorite drink in the world. I drink it with EVERYTHING, its rather disgusting but the taste just does something chemically to my brain. Seriously. But I think I can do it because I was a serious nail biter for my entire life, could never stop and one day quit cold turkey. I think Im better at quitting things cold turkey than gradually. That’s how Im going to do it with milk. But I do have half a gallon left so I think I am going to finish that first. Lol
Another very important issue. I know this might be tmi but Im going to take a vow of celibacy if my current “relationship” doesn’t work out. We will see how that pans out.

I also want to contribute more to the cause of green living in my own way. I plan to learn how to sew and make reusable shopping bags and tried to make them from thrifted material if possible.

So that is me going off on a tangent today. I hope to document all of my efforts.
God is love.
Peace

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Follow my blog with bloglovin
So yesterday I posted a comment on Facebook that I was contemplating becoming a vegetarian. People were not too pleased at my revelation. From anger to concern the opinions flowed through to me. I was amazed at how many people were against my decision. My decision hadn’t even been made yet. I simply posed the idea that I was taking this lifestyle into consideration. Nevertheless I was shocked and more determined to make the change. This blog has truly evolved from when I first began it a couple years ago. Frivolous thoughts and random ramblings are changing to thought provoking and questions about life itself. Im glad its evolving because I myself have evolved. Im hoping I have at least. Im trying to become less self-involved and more selfless. I look at my niece and nephew and I don’t want to be the reason that they don’t have clean drinking water or healthy air to breath.
This blog is changing and Im loving it. Im excited. Life is about change. Nothing ever stays the same if it did there would not be butterflies. Progression is the key.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

MERMAIDS.

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I have loved this movie ever since I was a little girl. It holds a great deal of sentimental value for me. My cousin Feliza watched over me as a child and watches over me now. RIP. We watched this movie over and over. It was like a version of us. I have such fond memories watching it with her and now that I’m grown, it always brings me back to her. Not only that, the movie is GREAT! I just love everything about it but I do admit that I do have to forward the very awkward parts with Winona Ryder. I love her but its so real that I somehow feel embarrassed for myself when she embarrasses herself. Maybe it brings me back to my awkward years. Also, Cher is just SEXY. Ive never seen her look better and she is just amazing in this movie.
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So many good quotes in it too.


Rachel Flax: Charlotte, I know you're planning a celibate life, but with half my chromosomes, I think that might be tough.

[Charlotte is praying at a shrine she has made in her room to the Virgin Mary]
Rachel Flax: Charlotte, we're Jewish.

Imdb didn’t have the really good ones.
Like “know ya colors and know ya fabrics, that’s what I tell all my little girls.”

Me and my cousin used to always say this one. “Act your age not your shoe size.”
And one of my all time favs,
Charlotte Flax: I want to stay!
Rachel Flax: And do what?
Charlotte Flax: Finish high school
Rachel Flax: Great start. What's your major? Town tramp?
Charlotte Flax: No Mom, the town already has one.

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Love Chers outfits the most. Man that pink polka dot one, Id wear it. This movie will always hold a special place in my heart. Love you cousin Feliza.

Monday, April 5, 2010

Live Green

I normally purchase my books at Barnes & Noble but they are so overpriced that I sourced out cheaper. I found Amazon.com. Of course Ive been to the site before but never bought anything. As I searched for different books I was wonderfully surprised by the low prices. Books I had on hold at Barnes & Noble were more than 75% off at Amazon and they are BRAND NEW. I found Nina Garcia’s “Little Black of Style” for rougly six dollars and its roughly twenty five dollars and B&N. Needless to say, I snapped that book and another book that was a steal right up. Delivery is very fast also. I went back on the site and they actually have a “green” section. Im so excited about that. Very interesting and very informative.
Like the information regarding bamboo. I am definitely going to start using bamboo products for the home and daily use.

Excerpt from www.amazon.com
What's all the fuss about bamboo?
Bamboo is the fastest-growing plant on Earth, making it rapidly renewable (and therefore affordable). Bamboo is 16% harder than maple wood, 1/3 lighter in weight than oak, yet in some instances as strong as steel.
Scientists have found that bamboo produces a unique anti-bacterial and bacteriostasis bio-agent named "bamboo kun.” This substance bonds tightly with bamboo cellulose molecules during the plant's growth, creating fibers that are inherently antimicrobial. Even after fifty machine-wash cycles, or runs through the dishwasher, bamboo products still retain this property.
Bamboo Cons:

The bamboo plant’s environmental benefits are not yet fully realized, but consumer demand could improve manufacturing practices and encourage domestic innovation. For example, while pesticides are not required to grow this sustainable crop, there is no certification to guarantee that plantations are not using pesticides as an unnecessary precaution. Although not widely documented, current processes to transform bamboo into soft fabric sometimes use chemicals and solvents similar to those used to manufacture rayon.
AND ON ENERGY USE
What are some ways I can save energy in my home?
Consumer electronics play an increasingly larger role in your home's energy consumption, accounting for up to 15 percent of household electricity use. If every American replaced their TV, computer*, and just 5 light bulbs with ENERGY STAR qualified models, they would save over 7 billion dollars on their energy bills per year and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to the annual emissions of over 8.5 million vehicles.
*Note: computer includes LCD computer monitor and Desktop PC.
ENERGY STAR tips to save energy and money:
1. Replace your five most frequently used light fixtures or the bulbs in them with ENERGY STAR qualified lights and save more than $65 a year in energy costs.
2. Even when turned off, electronic equipment, like cell phones and computers, use a small amount of electricity. To save energy, unplug battery chargers or power adapters when equipment is fully charged or disconnected from the charger. Also remember to use a power strip for your computer and all peripheral equipment to allow you to completely disconnect the power supply from the power source and eliminate standby power consumption.
3. Look for an ENERGY STAR qualified computer and other office products and make sure you enable the power management feature on both your computer and monitor. If all U.S. households and businesses replaced old computers with new ENERGY STAR qualified models with power management, we would save more than $1.8 billion in energy costs over the next five years and avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to more than 2.7 million cars.
4. Save money and energy by purchasing an ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washer. ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washers use about 55% less water and 40-50% less energy, for annual household savings of about $50.
5. Look for an ENERGY STAR programmable thermostat and make sure you program it according to your schedule so you are only heating or cooling your home to comfort levels when you're at home and not when you're away or asleep. This could save you up to $150 a year in energy costs.

Advanced Wisdom

So I visited my grandparents last week and again yesterday, but this is the story of last week.
Sometimes I feel that I get more out of it than they do! Which is great in many ways. To begin with, my grandparents raised this little spitfire until I just became too unruly. It all went downhill from there. But I digress.
I truly enjoy my time with them. I don’t do it often but you know what, Im gonna really make an honest effort to visit them more often. They are truly GRAND. They are also great advisors. I believe that advice is easy to give yet hard to receive; but when it comes to a person of a certain age giving that advice, I tend to listen because as they say, “this aint my first rodeo.”
My grandma gave me some great advice yesterday. I took it for all it was worth and was quite surprised by it. This strong woman never ceases to amaze me. Having been a nurse for over 30 years and working over ten hours a day six days a week had a lot to say. She is unfortunately now in a wheelchair which she had in her late sixties while still on the job. We began to talk and she told me how she spent her entire life working to support her children but mostly because she liked the money that she made. Now, Ive always wanted to be like this woman and be hardworking and dedicated but yesterday she changed my entire perspective. She said, “what was it all for? The money? Where is it at now? Don’t spend your time working. Spend your time living. Money is only money. You cant take it with you. I worked myself into this chair.” It really made me think. We continued our conversation and I really left our visit enlightened. I just got a part time job so I could make a little extra money on the side for nicer things but I would never have free time to enjoy with family and friends or doing the things that I love. This conversation came at the perfect time in my life. Thanks Grandma. Love you.
Im also very excited about another thing. She told me that when I return to bring a box so I can take any picture that I like. Pictures from the 20’s,30’s, her beauty queen photos, my grandpa in his suits! Im so excited. This is more valuable to me than jewelry or any other possession she might want to pass on to me. I cant wait for my next visit. 

Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth.



“To accept good advice is but to increase one's own ability” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Sunday, April 4, 2010

MISS HILL WHERE ART THOU?

Florally Obsessed

I want to wear floral today for Easter but the weather is so gloomy. :(
Im an admitted shopaholic and blogaholic...but in my quest to help save the environment and change the world one at a time, starting next month I am going to stop buying new clothes and only thrift. I may buy something new here and there but I tend to keep clothes for the long haul and then give them away. Everybody knows thrifted and used clothing are a great way to save money and energy and a great litte way to help the environment. SMALL ACTIONS. BIG CHANGES
HAPPY EASTER MY FELLOW BLOGAHOLICS.
XOXO SHOPGIRL