One thing that I used to struggle to find was makeup that was not just green and eco-friendly, but also worked well and was good for my skin.  I love this planet, but I also love my own skin!  Thankfully, I found Tarte Cosmetics.  

The CEO and founder, Maureen Kelly knows exactly what I am talking about in the above paragraph.  She too had a hard time looking for cosmetics that were good for skin, high performance, and also good for the earth.

So she set out on a mission and she created Tarte, a line of “high-performance naturals” that is not only pretty makeup in pretty packages, but it is also formulated without parabens, phthalates and other synthetic fragrance.  The packaging is trendy and fun without harming the environment as they are made up of components that are recyclable or recycled.

There are many cosmetic lines out there, but do you not want to go with one that cares for your skin and the earth?

The videos below are intros to some of the Tarte line.  Take a look and see for yourself how wonderful this product truly is.

                                      

When using a brass burner with cone incense put some rice at bottom to help airflow. Use a ceramic tile or plate under it and never place it on a wood surface. Loose incense needs a small charcoal grill type burner made of brass. You should put sand at bottom to keep the charcoal off the bottom. Next, you place charcoal bricks on top of the sand light them and place loose incense on top of the lighted coals. Loose incense requires attention to keep it burning properly and safely.

When using stick incense look for burners that are shaped like boats. They are long flat pieces of stone, glass or ceramic. with an upward curve at the end. These are the best way to burn this type of incense. Solid stick incense can be burned in a cermaic bowl with sand or rice at the bottom. Place the sticks of incense inside straight up and light them. It should be a large bowl that has high enough sides so the incense does not fall out.
Put a ceramic tile under it.

How to Light Incense

When lighting cone, cylinder or stick incense you can use a match or lighter. Hold the match or lighter flame to coated end for about 10 seconds. Remove the flame and extinguish. The incense flame should die out and continue to burn. If not you can blow it out and it should still burn. The color of the smoke from incense should be white to light gray.

Don’t forget about your incense or burner. Keep a eye on it for safety reasons. Incense can fill your home or apartment with a great scent that lasts a long time. Visit Flowland.net for your incense needs at www.flowland.net

                                      

“A number of us are concerned that the president is visiting Solyndra,” California investor and Obama fundraiser Steve Westly wrote to Valerie Jarrett, Obama’s adviser, in May 2010. “Many of us believe the company’s cost structure will make it difficult for them to survive long term. . . . I just want to help protect the president from anything that could result in negative or unfair press.”

Now, the scandal may prove to be far more than merely “embarassing” to the Obama administration and could lead to legal action against the president.  Watch the latest video news coverage:

 

                                      

Many businesses, like Aspen Mini Storage, are cutting back on their energy consumption as much as possible by making earth friendly changes, but will it be enough?

Let’s look at the infographic below to get an idea of what’s in store: (Click the graphic to expand)

One thing that is a useful application of energy sources is any expenditure that helps you use home alarm security.  Invest in protection today.

                                      

When I saw the facts about how much energy and waste that things like the internet are producing it made me think twice about how much time I spend on my computer. Just yesterday I looked up something so silly as a song that I thought might exist because a phrase that a 3 year old little boy was singing sounded vaguely familiar. It was in fact a song and it did put my mind at ease, but is it worth hurting our environment for me to know a silly song?

As with everything there are some advantages and disadvantages. It is true that the internet and various programs use a large amount of energy and produce large amounts of CO2. Although if more people used the internet for communicating opposed to driving or flying to work there would be a significant decrease in emissions. We need to find and implement ways to reduce the harm to our planet through out technologies.

                                      

Where does America stand on the use of renewable resources for energy consumption?  In recent years, Americans used renewable energy sources to meet approximately 8% of its total energy needs and 10% of the total U.S. electricity output in 2009. Consumption of electricity by its producers was about 53% of total U.S. renewable energy in 2009.

Have a look at the following infographic for more detailed information.  We’ve come a long way, certainly, but there is far to go before America is close to acceptable levels of clean energy.

                                      

1. If you’re just getting black coffee, bring your own mug!  Yes, there are those spur of the moment stops for an emergency cup, but I think most of us know the days when we’re going to work and will most likely stop to get coffee at some point.  Keep a mug in your car and simply wash it out when you get home at night and then throw it back in the cupholder the next morning.

2. When adding cream and sugar, be aware of how much you’re actually throwing away.  Most people don’t use a full packet of sweetener and just throw the remainder in the garbage, leaving hundreds of paper packets in the waste bin at the end of the day.  If you run a coffee shop or work at one, suggest that the company have a sugar or sweetener shaker instead.  A giant box of Splenda costs less than a giant box of Splenda packets and the effort can really add up in the long run.  Also, if you don’t really need a wooden stir stick, don’t use it!  I see so many people go over to the creamer, put a stir stick in their cup, pour a miniscule amount of half and half, spin the stick around once and then throw it away.  Is that really necessary?

3. You only need a sleeve for your drink if it is exceptionally hot and they make reusable ones!  I bought a floral print fabric sleeve from a locally owned coffee shop and use it faithfully since it works better than the paper ones and saves some trees as well.  I think even some larger chain stores are selling them now so invest in one, there’s no need to throw one away every time that mocha is too hot to handle.