A Passionate Truth

I went to a seminar last weekend called "Crash Course MBA" given by The Savvy Actor.


I loved it and learned a lot of new things about myself, promoting myself, and promoting my business.


There were two themes that kept resonating with me throughout the weekend.  One was "Branding" and the other was "Passion." 
 Well, before I can begin to brand myself, I have to focus on my passion.

In the words of Irene Cara in Flashdance, "Take your passion and make it happen."


So I thought about what they asked.  "What am I so passionate about that it gets me out of bed every day?  What drives me?"


Of course, there's my husband, my dog, my family. And of course, The Bachelor.


But there's also helping the planet.


My journey began in 2007 after watching An Inconvenient Truth.  After the ending credits, I went to their website and printed out the "Ten things you can do to help the environment."


The very next day I was at the store buying CFL lightbulbs, changing out my cleaning products, demanding that we not use anymore plastic bags, buying reusable water bottles and running around the apartment unplugging things.

I was a maniac.


And I remember thinking, "Is that it?  Am I finished?"


And the answer was "For the time being . . . yes."


I had made a start and done all I could do within my four walls at that time.  With those five simple acts, I had made a huge change.

But it wasn't enough for me.  I became addicted and wanted to do more. 

I wanted to purchase carbon offsets for every piece of traveling I did (ok...the traveling I want to do).  I wanted to walk more and switch solely to public transportation...no more cabs. 


I devoured information about what was really going on with our environment.  I started yelling at people who didn't get it.  I started a blog.  I became obsessed.


This was why I get out of bed in the morning.


So - passion? - check.


Branding.


How do I brand myself?


The crazy tree hugger?


The insane trash picker?


The off-her-rocker/carry-her-groceries-home-in-her-arms-rather-than-take-a-plastic-bag girl?


Or maybe just a concerned guest of this planet.  Who gets a little too passionate sometimes.  By expressing herself to obtuse grocery store managers about using too much confetti.


But that's OK.  Because of my passion, I feel better now when I go to bed.


And even when I watch The Bachelor.

T0:0:0:0XICITY

THE FOLLOWING TAKES PLACE BETWEEN PAYMENT AND CHECK-OUT.

ALL EVENTS ARE IN REAL TIME.



Scene One

FADE IN

The President has just finished an important speech in California and is greeting well-wishers on his way to his limo. A young woman holds out her hand. Smiling, he stops and shakes it. She moves on, but he doesn't. His hand has been poisoned with toxic chemicals. He collapses and almost dies.

FADE TO BLACK


Scene Two

FADE IN

A young woman has just finished an important shopping excursion in a New York store and has paid the check-out clerk. The clerk holds out the receipt. Smiling, the woman takes it. The clerk moves on to the next customer. The woman looks at her hand in disbelief. It has been poisoned with toxic chemicals. She doesn't collapse . . . but the toxins are getting her, just the same.

FADE TO BLACK


The first scene is from the second season of 24.





The second is from at least the last 24 stores I've shopped in.


The toxic substance in the first was fictional. The substance in the second is not.

I have recently learned that the receipts we are given every day from grocery stores, ATM's, restaurants and even the US Postal Service, are toxic.

If 24 taught us nothing else, it's that evil can lurk in the commonest places.

I've spent so much time warning about the toxins in make-up and plastic - and they were literally, right in my hands.

So what is the substance that even Jack Bauer couldn't stop?

Bisphenol A. More commonly known as BPA.

BPA is a carbon compound found in clear, hard, nearly shatter-proof plastic used in reusable bottles, canned foods, baby bottles, CD's, DVD's, medical equipment, fillings and sporting equipment, to name just a few products. It is usually identified by the number "7" in the triangle on the bottom of the object.

Unfortunately, lucky number "7" is something of a catch-all number (and not so lucky) but if the plastic is hard, it's probably using BPA unless it states otherwise.

It is also an endocrine disruptor which can lead to health problems.

Organizations like the the Endocrine Society and the Environmental Working Group are expressing concern over BPA and its effects on the human body.

Tests that have been conducted thus far on mice and rats have shown BPA to have an effect on infant brain development, obesity, neurological disorders (memory, learning, mood) and there may even be a connection to breast and prostate cancers.

CNN has reported that some thermal paper receipts (when the heat is applied to the paper, the BPA reacts with the dye, releasing the toxins) were found to carry 250 to 1000 times more BPA than the common products I've listed above.

A recent Swiss study showed that BPA in receipts penetrates deep into the skin where it cannot be washed away.

The average adult consumes 1 microgram of BPA for every 2.2 pounds of body weight. This microgram is considered a trace amount. To understand a microgram, the New York Times compares it to a single M&M that has been cut up into a 100,000 pieces, one of those pieces being the equivalent to a microgram.


And while more research is being done, a recent Swiss study showed that the BPA in these receipts penetrates deep into the skin where it cannot be washed away.

The good news is that companies like Starbucks and Target are switching paper so that their receipts are BPA-free or only contain trace amounts. Appleton Papers, one of the largest producers of thermal paper, no longer uses BPA.

I found out about the receipt problem through a fellow blogger...Green LA Girl. Others are finding out through news reports and environmental agencies. Whichever way you find out, it's clear that we need more research. In the meantime, let's not only protect the trees, let's protect ourselves.

Right now you can say no to receipts. Or ask that they be emailed to you.

What I'm really hoping is that soon THIS scene will be common . . .


Scene Three (Sometime in the Near Future)

FADE IN

Jack Bauer: Can I help you ma'am? You called CTU about a receipt problem.

Meredith Forbes: That's all right. It's been solved. I'm saying "no" to receipts now.

Jack Bauer: So you don't need me to save you?

Meredith Forbes: I didn't say that.

FADE TO GREEN



24 Photo Credit - Wikia.com

Meredith Mnemonic

Here we are...a little more than a week into the new year and I'm already forgetting what it was I resolved to do!

Some say it takes 21 days to establish a new habit, others say two months. But if I can't remember which habit I'm supposed to be creating, it won't matter either way.

So I decided to make things easier on myself. I've heard of Meatless Mondays, so I've created some other mnemonic devices for habits that I want to instill.

MEATLESS MONDAYS
Not only is it good for our health, but it's good for the planet. The meat industry contributes to half of the man-made greenhouse gas emissions! If every American gave up meat on just Monday's, it would cut down meat consumption by 14% which would significantly reduce methane emissions. Instead, opt for veggie, legume and whole grain based meals. And there's nothing like a great pasta primavera! (http://www.meatlessmonday.com/)

TAKE TWO TUESDAYS
Two reusable bags that is. We already know that plastic bags are killing our sea life and our environment so let's cut down. Do a purse (or pocket) check to make sure you've got at least two reusable bags in there for those impromptu trips to the market. Chico makes a great little bag that folds into itself taking up almost no space in your bag. T hey're cheap, sturdy, come in fun colors and last a long time. And note this...one reusable bag is the equivalent of 1000 plastic bags during the lifetime of the bag!

WALKING WEDNESDAYS
It's time to get off my butt and off the bus and walk to work. I know this isn't possible for everyone, but if you can cut down on your transportation at all, every little bit helps. Gas, exhaust, traffic congestion...they spell trouble for the planet. For me, just by walking to work, I've added in two miles of exercise! And get this...according to Bikes Belong, "If 10% of NYC commuters walked or biked to work instead of driving or taking transit just once per week, they could save 120 million pounds of CO2 emissions per year, equivalent to the amount released by the homes of 25,000 New Yorkers."



THIRSTY THURSDAYS
Not only will I make sure I drink my eight 8-ounce glasses of water, but I'll do so without a plastic water bottle (no BPA for me) or bottled water (save money and less trash). You'll be sure to see me with my Kleen Kanteen and Brita pitcher. If you drink 3 bottles of water a day, you'd be keeping 156 plastic water bottles our of our oceans and landfills a year!



FIVE-MINUTE FRIDAYS
Skip the long, hot shower and opt for a 5-minute one. The average person showers for more than eight minutes and uses an average of almost 20 gallons of water. By using a timer and taking a 5-minute shower, you'll not only save water, but you'll also save the energy it takes to heat the water. Less water and less money!

SHOPLESS SATURDAYS
Not shop less...shopless! I know that on the weekends, we like to catch up on all those sales but if we have one day a week where we don't buy anything, not only are we saving money, but we're consuming less "things." Less packaging plus less stuff equals a better environment.

LOCAL SUNDAYS
What better day than the day of rest to travel leisurely through your local farmer's market and choose beautiful, seasonal and local fruits, veggies, meats and cheeses.



I've been trying this little project out for the past week and so far, so good.


New resolution: focus on these mnemonic devices...and how to spell "mnemonic."

AULD LANG GREEN

About an hour after I posted "When You Wish Upon A (Times Square) Ball," I went out to run some errands. I found myself at The Vinegar Factory, a spin off of Zabars for the Upper East Siders. We usually only buy their bread since their staples, like butter, run about $12/pound. (Really. I'm not kidding. Airport food courts have more reasonable prices.)

As I walked in, I was literally attacked by mounds and mounds of confetti. On the floors, draped over the wooden beams. It was as if The Vinegar Factory were storing it for the Times Square party later that night.

Of course, I had just written my blog about the Times Square confetti and was really uncomfortable. I grabbed my loaf of bread, paid my bill and had my hand on the door, but I stopped. I asked to speak to the manager. He walked over to me, oblivious to all the non-recyclable debris.

I calmly stated my disapproval. Actually, I said I was "appalled."

He became defensive. "Times Square does it! This is nothing!"

To which I replied, "That doesn't mean you have to! You should set an example. This is hurting our environment!"

He then proceeded to tell me that he didn't care and that, besides, everyone else liked it.

I squeezed in one last "appalling" as I realized everyone on line was staring at me.

I went home wondering if I was too self-righteous or not self-righteous enough.

I kept thinking about how the manager compared his store to Times Square. Aside from the fact that the city probably paid for the celebration every year what his customers paid for potatoes, was there any point in attacking a little pile of confetti when there was going to be an even bigger pile downtown?

Of course there was. Small steps add up. Many times you write in telling me about small steps here and there and that's terrific!

But I have to thank the manager for giving me something he probably didn't count on: an idea. I'm contacting Mayor Bloomberg about the confetti in Times Square.

I'll let you know how it turns out.

When You Wish Upon A (Times Square) Ball

Last night, John did a comedy show in Times Square. The day before New Year's Eve and the area was already a complete zoo. It took us longer to get from the subway to the theater than from our apartment to Times Square.

Thousands of tourists were wandering around, staring at the giant crystal ball, or rather, where the giant crystal ball was going to be placed on top of the lovely Toshiba sign. Although right now the only thing that was dropping was people's resistance to buying those awful plastic hats and other accoutrements which are required for New Year's Eve.

I have actually never taken part in this New York City tradition. At one time I thought it would be a cool idea but as I get older, the idea of being trapped in a space with no bathrooms surrounded by thousands of people has pretty much lost its appeal.

Bathrooms and crowds aside, I was curious to learn just how eco-friendly this ball drop would be.

The Waterford Crystal Ball which weighs in at over 11,000 pounds, is illuminated with over 32,000 Philips LED lights. That was encouraging.

I also found out that Duracell will be illuminating the "2011" numerals with human power for the third year in a row! How is this done you ask? Last year, my good friend Audrey, her daughter Mackenzie and me rode stationary bikes that were set up in Duracell's Power Lab in Times Square. Each push of the pedal captures our energy and converts it into power.

So far, so good! But then . . .

Thanks to Carnival Cruise, there is a big wishing wall in Times Square where thousands of visitors can leave their hopes and dreams for 2011.

On an official piece of 2011 confetti.

And at the stroke of midnight, one TON of these wishes will be dropped on Times Square.

I'm sorry...I just have to catch my breath for a second.

ONE TON?!

That's one ton of paper falling to slushy, post-blizzard streets, clearly unable to be recycled. That's 24 trees that will no longer get to have their branches blow in the wind. All to say Happy New Year! (More like Crappy New Year)

I boycotted the wishing wall and vowed to make my wish on the crystal ball as it hits the "2011" numerals. Eco-friendly and magical.

I leave you with this...

Tonight at midnight

Anticipate with delight!

Forgo the confetti

And have your wish ready

For 2011

Will bring nothing but heaven!

Ornaments On The Tree

Even as a child, in the not-so-green 1970's, I remember traditions that helped make a Green Christmas.

My mom would bundle up my sister and me and take us for a walk down the block to Mrs. Randall's house. Mrs. Randall was an older woman who had a tree farm. She also was the only person in the neighborhood who would hand out apples on Halloween.

The four of us (mom, dad, Melissa and me) would pick out our tree (which I'm fairly certain wasn't covered with pesticides) and take it home, where my dad would then secure it to the bannister for dear life. (This was the result of my cousins and I running around our living room one December evening and knocking over the tree. Our parents came back from a night on the town to find all of their precious decorations in pieces on the floor.)

My mom would get our ornaments from the attic and my sister and I would run to the box and argue over which ones were ours.

We carefully hung each ornament, reminiscing about where it came from and fighting for prime front-of-the-tree real estate. Early on, my mom and dad made up a rule that was pretty eco-friendly -- only ornaments with meaning could go on the tree.

The ones I remember most clearly were the angels. Mine was green, Melissa's was pink. Although even that was debatable. They were gifts from my grandmother.

We had antique ornaments -- the kind made from glass -- from our neighbors, The Jobin's. They were very delicate and only mom was allowed to hang those up.

As we got older, my parents started a new tradition. Each year, we'd get an ornament representing something from that year. Like the year I went to Ireland with my mom and she got me a lamb. It's a tradition that I continue with my niece and nephew.

Our magnificent tree towered above us, its festive branches protecting us and our gifts while each ornament -- and its memories -- glowed from the lights. We marvelled at our tree every chance we got.

As the years went on, our real tree was replaced by a fake one because of my sister's asthma. Now we know that a fake tree is worse than a real one because of all the BPA's and formaldehyde used to make it.

Now in New York City, my Christmas trees come from city sidewalks. Temporary forests magically appear outside drug stores and Starbucks. This year, John and I went to find one in the arbor outside a local deli. Actually, I had already picked it out. It was this big, round, fat Fraser fir that I had seen on the corner for weeks. It was meant for us. Every time I passed it, it said, "Take me home!" (And "Don't settle for the asking price!")

The salesman saw how much I loved it and gave us a great deal. Like Upper East Side Paul Bunyans (or so we thought), we declined to wrap the tree in plastic (of course) and shlepped our new green friend four blocks to our building, where we carried it up six flights to our apartment. Once inside, we realized we had the perfect tree . . . and the smallest stand.

I went back to the nursery-deli to buy a bigger one. Our salesman looked both ways and told me to take it . . . his boss wasn't there. I thanked him profusely! We now call him Deli Claus.
Every night I lay on my couch and gaze at the ornaments. A penguin in a pink tutu from my dear friend Ruth in Ireland. A glittered sea shell from a trip to Florida to visit my family. A giant Paddington Bear - my most favorite bear of all. And a personal favorite -- a giant sequined ball with a snowman on it, taken when I was living in Washington, DC during a visit to see the National Christmas Tree. Many of the ornaments had fallen and broken and this was one of the ones we salvaged.

These ornaments allow me to remember my mom, dad, sister, good friends and memorable trips that have contributed to our special tree.

And every night I wander over to Mrs. Randall's house in my mind and remember the amazing childhood Christmases that I was blessed with.

I wish you all the greenest of holidays with lots of memories!

Picture Perfect Packages

One year, my mom gave me a photo album for Christmas. It's a cardboard album, kind of like a children's board book. It's red with a Christmasy design on the cover and a green satin ribbon that ties it together. Every year I put a picture of John, me and Bailey in it representing that particular year's Christmas.

I love pulling it out and looking through it but this year, I realized I forgot to add 2009's picture.

I went online to the Kodak Gallery where I store many of my pictures that I want to print and found the perfect one. I ordered it immediately.

A couple of days later at work, I was informed that I had a package. I went downstairs to our receiving dock and was handed a good-sized box. 12" x 10" x 1", to be exact.

I hadn't ordered anything so I couldn't figure out what it was. An early Christmas present perhaps?

I got it back to my office and opened it. Inside was a piece of heavy-duty cardboard covered in plastic wrap. I opened it and removed a blank, yellow piece of paper that had been resting against the cardboard. What was behind the piece of paper was appalling.

Behind the piece of paper was my Christmas picture. A 4" x 6" picture, to be exact.

I immediately went to Kodak's website and filed a complaint with their customer service.

After waiting for a response for almost three days, I finally received an email. After a token "we're sorry" and "we'll pass off your complaint to the powers that be," they blamed their packaging on the US Postal Service! They clearly weren't aware that the US Postal Service actually strives for a green footprint!

No, no. They weren't getting off this easy.

I wrote back. This was not acceptable! What were they going to do? They were at risk of losing a customer.

Two weeks went by. No response.

And then...I heard from them.

More token apologies for my inconvenience. MY inconvenience? How about the tree's inconvenience?!

They further explained how they strive to have your photos arrive safely. Really? I've ordered from other photo websites. Wouldn't a simple cardboard or padded envelope have sufficed?

The next paragraph: "You might consider our level of packaging to be way above standards, when compared to others within the industry. Please note that this is done to assure the overall safety of your placed order."

Above standards? What standards? I just want my small, flat picture!

They ended by "understanding my concerns," forwarding the email to their labs and offering me a $5 coupon on a future order. Don't think I'll be taking them up on that. Can you imagine how five pictures would be packaged? I'd need a cab for the box to get home!

After this atrocity, I started to re-think my shipping methods. Of course Christmas is the time for exchanging presents with loved ones near and far. And I, like many, will be shipping gifts.

So instead of buying boxes, I've been taking boxes from work. Not new ones! Ones that our orders were shipped in...reused.

I'm also cutting down on my wrapping paper supplies. During the holiday season, Americans will throw away approximately 4 million tons of wrapping paper and shopping bags.

This year, think of creative ways to wrap your presents. How about wrapping your gift in a brand new dish towel or a comfy sweater? Or use the funny pages, paper bags from the grocery store or recycled wrapping paper.

Regardless of what you use, make sure to reuse or recycle it and don’t forget to bring along your reusable bag on your holiday shopping spree!

But please don't send 4" x 6" good wishes in a 12" x 10" package!

Happy shopping (and shipping)!