GoingTrueGreen's Blog Postings

Vampire Appliances

10/31/2013

Yes, it is no longer like the old days in the old country, anymore. There was a time when you can easily identify a vampire. They all looked like this guy on the right and everyday appliances looked like these below:

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Stovetop, Oven

Ice Box

Telephone

TV, Radio, Record Player

Today, vampires look like everyone else, like some of these people on the right:

BUT BE WARNED! There is a new breed of vampires among us!
And they look like these everyday friendly appliances below:

Clocks, Timers, Stovetop and Oven

Refrigerator and Freezer

Telephone Center

Entertainment Center

Count Dracula

Today's vampires

Home and Home Office appliances that once entertained and made life easier have turned into Vampire Appliances today. These modern conveniences drink your money right out of your bank account even when you are not using them!

Yes, today's appliances have become Vampire Appliances. I don't like vampires... They use electricity just by being plugged into an outlet. How much this is costing you is broken down in my previous Blog Posting called:
Games & TV, Costing Energy and Money on October 21, 2013. If you have yet to read this and you pay an electric bill, it will behoove you to visit this posting.

Remember Halloween is really called All Hallows' Eve, because this is the evening before All Saint's Day on November 1st and All Souls' Day on November 2nd. Thus giving the holiday on October 31 the full name of All Hallows' Eve. Hollow meaning to honor and remember those of us who have passed, even those acknowledged as virtuous to be saintly.

Bill Lauto, GTG

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The Air We Breathe

10/28/2013

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Air pollution, WHO, IARC, World Health Organization, International Agency for Research on Cancer, pollution, lung cancer, smoking, outdoor air pollution, carcinogen, going green, going true green, bill lauto, GTG

Polluted air over a metropolitan area.

Very few of us live in the midst of noticeable air pollution and while we may not always see smoke-filled air, most of us are aware of lung cancer. However, how many of us know about the 223,000 people who died around the world in 2010 from lung cancer that was not caused by smoking? The shocking truth is that for these people, the cause was from outdoor air pollution.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the cancer research team of the World Health Organization (WHO), released a new report. For the first time a report stated that polluted air has been classified as a carcinogen. This is not about a specific toxin in the air, this is air pollution in general. Pollution created by industry, natural fires, small man-made fires, and all forms of transportation, mostly cars.

The IARC report reviewed published health data and studies to conclude that air pollution could be a life threatening component to breathing. In the end, all the reviewed studies presented the same conclusion: Developing lung and bladder cancer is significantly higher for people exposed to air pollution.

I trust all international organizations and governments will take heed and then take action.

Bill Lauto, GTG

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Games & TV, Costing Energy and Money

10/21/2013

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belkin, power strip, surge protector, vampire power, entertainment appliances, saving on appliances, electric costs, going green, go green, going true green, bill Lauto, energy savings, playstation, wii, xbox, gaming consoles, cable box, vcr, dvd, dvd player, blue ray, stereo

Cable Box

Blu-Ray Disc Player

Digital Surround Sound Stereo Player

As the cold air masses move down from the north onto America, we find ourselves inside more and viewing Television's new Fall shows and playing more Electronic Video Games.

Now you may think these games and shows only cost you the electric bill when on and a few batteries for the remote controls. Actually, they are costing you a great deal more if you fell into the trap that most of us are in.

Okay, how much can playing video games, watching TV and listening to music really cost?

Well, that depends on how many items you have and how many do you leave on all the time. It also depends on how many items are plugged in. Yes, that is the trap, these items are still using electrical power when off!

"Let's start with that cable box for all your TV channels and your GAME console"

Even when they are off, they are using electric power because they are still plugged in and on standby. They are ready to play as soon as you turn them on. So how much can that be?

One game console and one cable box that are plugged in to an outlet, are estimated to cost a minimum of $10.00 per month. So even if you never turn on your TV or play one game, you will waste enough energy to cost you $120.00 per year! Wait, I will venture to say many people have two or three gaming consoles and cable boxes plugged into an electric outlet. That can now add up to $240.00 a year. How many entertainment items do you have plugged in?

Now don't forget about that DVD player and stereo that is also plugged into an outlet. Your TV is also on standby when off, sucking electric power from the grid and our children's future, like a vampire. I don't like vampires.

"Nevertheless, we can deal with this and we do not need garlic or a wooden stake."

Power Strip

When you are done watching TV, playing games:
Shut off all your Entertainment Appliances and then turn off the switch on the Power Strip. (Make sure your power strip stills offers you surge protection when off.)

That is easy and you are now saving 100% on the electric bill because the appliance can no longer draw any electricity through the plug to maintain a "standby" mode.

Yes, you will have to wait a couple of minutes for everything to power back up when turning the Power Strip back on... Now isn't that a small deal.

Do you want to go one better? For a few extra dollars you can buy a Power Strip (surge protector) that comes with a wall mounted on/off switch. By way of a radio signal the switch will turn your Power Strip on and off.

This way if your surge protector is behind the furniture, you don't have to bend or reach down for it. Also hitting a wall switch is easier and faster, thus allowing you time to collect all you snacks and drinks while the cable box powers up or as you turn on the TV with your remote control.

These Power Strips with switches come with two or three different frequencies. So you can have another Power Strip working all your Home Office equipment right in the next room without conflict.

PLEASE NOTE:
By using a Power Strip, this will not only offer you surge protection, but will also save you at least $120.00 a year.  

One hundred and twenty dollars a year is a tremendous amount of money, especially when you DONATE that amount each year to an organization like FEED THE CHILDREN. 

The power companies DO NOT need another $120.00 from each of us, each year for each TV cable box and video console.

Bill Lauto, GTG

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To BPA or Not to BPA

10/18/2013

2 Comments

Plastic Water Bottles

Yes, that is the question...
I received an excellent comment/question on my 10/16/13 post called:
Warning, Will Robinson. My post presented new research that states exposure to BPA in plastics may increase risk of miscarriage and male infertility.

The comment/question I received, requested my thoughts on BPA-Free plastic made by big name manufacturers. I decided to add another post to my blog so details can be provided as an answer to that important question.

For decades now the Bisphenol A (BPA) chemical has been used in everyday items such as food, beverage containers, compact discs, toys and sales receipts. Research evidence shows BPA mimics estrogen in the body and is linked to a variety of health problems. So some manufacturers replaced BPA with Bisphenol S (BPS) and listed their products as BPA-Free.

Okay, so let us visit the research being done: Tuffs University and the University of Texas, indicate that BPS, like BPA also mimics the estrogen hormone interfering with the body's response to natural estrogen hormones. Research from Germany, indicates that BPA and BPS are not the only things to be concerned about with regard to plastic products. Frankfurt Goethe University in conjunction with the German Federal Insititue of Hydrology, tested different plastic bottles. Results indicated that the tested plastic water bottles contained over an astounding 24,000 different types of chemicals leeched from the plastic. Among these chemicals was the completely unregulated DEHF (di 2-ethylhexyl fumarate). DEHF is used to create flexibility in plastic and like BPA and BPS, is a hormone disruptor.

So BPA-Free offers the same amount of concern to me. Besides all this plastic, most of which is not recycled, is also harming our environment. The energy cost involved with plastic as compared to the longer used glass products is a waste, but that is just me expressing my opinion. Revisit my 10/16/13 post called: Warning, Will Robinson, for solutions and if you did buy the glass containers with a plastic lid. Just add a piece of wax paper between the lid and food, even if the lid is BPA-Free.

Bill Lauto, GTG

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Warning, Will Robinson

10/16/2013

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1967 publicity photo for TV's Lost in Space

Unlike the perceptive and timely warnings bellowed out by the Robot on TV's Lost In Space, we slowly received information or news over years that eventually constitutes a warning. Years went by before the FDA said BPAs should no longer be in the plastic used for baby bottles and sippy cups. However, plastic is all around us every day and now we hear some additional information that perhaps should be a warning.

New research suggests or associates (this was not released as a warning Will Robinson) that BPA exposure may increase risk of miscarriage and male infertility.

So depending on who is speaking or writing and the level of their perception, you may just get, "While there is no proof" or "There may be a connection" or "We need to do more tests" as the years go by.

Well to my readers, I say this: In a lab during my 1979 Internship I was taught the proof that only three things Do Not put carcinogens into our food and drink. I have been stating this fact on my web sites since 1995 and today EnergyHotwire stills hosts those details. Only Glass, Porcelain and Wax Paper are clean to touch food or drink. So to me the new research is a medical warning to expecting mothers and all families because we are exposed to large amounts of BPAs each day. Plastic items, beauty products, canned goods, and children's toys are all dealers of BPAs.

In addition, when you change temperatures of plastic you increase the amount of carcinogens or BPAs released. Do not leave water bottles in your car, better still, stop buying water and go to EnergyHotwire to learn a brilliant alternative. Do not put plastic that touches food or drink into microwaves, freezers or refrigerators.

BPA, BPAs, bill Lauto, going green, goingtruegreen, FDA, american academy of pediatrics, plastic bottles, plastic, plastics, plastic containers

BPA free glass, porcelain and wax paper

Now I don't expect everyone to run out or go online to buy all new glass containers. Over time you can do that, but until completed, at least wrap your food first in wax paper before putting your food into a plastic container or aluminum foil. I know in the long term, we are better off cooking and eating food off a heated flat rock like the Native Americans did, than eating out of plastic.

Glass lunch container, tuna in glass jar, apple juice in glass bottle and travel mug that is steel lined

Buy as much food as possible in glass jars, boxes, paper bags or containers lined with wax or wax paper. Even tuna can be found in glass jars and soup in boxes that state they are not lined with BPA. Avoid plastic with recycle numbers 3, 6, and 7 because they will have the greater possibility of containing BPAs. Use porcelain or glass lined travel mugs, you know, like the old thermos bottles we had when kids. If you dropped one, you heard the glass break inside. If you don't find any available, then use a steel lined travel mug, not aluminum, steel. Not great, but better than plastic.

Glass pitcher, porcelain cookware, glass water jugs, wax paper, a glass made of glass and a porcelain mug

So we still don't have hard proof that BPA exposure may increase risk of miscarriage and male infertility, but according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the words justifiable concern are used. So the intelligent thing to do is start avoiding BPAs more and more each day. Then when additional results are available and additional tests are done, we will not be waving our arms in the air and yelling "Danger, Danger" like Robot from that old TV show Lost In Space.

Bill Lauto, GTG

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Food Labels Decoded, Humane Raised

10/8/2013

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Certified Humane Raised and Handled

Certified humane, food labels decoded, food labels, Humane raised, going green, go green, going true green, bill lauto, humane farm animal care, gmo, gmos, no gmos, dairy, dairy cattle

All products with this label are to be produced with the comfort of farm animals coming first. The nonprofit and independent organization, Humane Farm Animal Care, operates all inspections. Normal animal behavior is encouraged with open spaces and understanding human hands. Proper protection from the elements and clean water must always be available. There are no tethers, no antibiotics, no hormones, no restrictive farrowing crates for sows, no cages, and no abuse, for a reduced stress environment. No abuse such as forced molting in birds through starvation. A minimum of 4 hours of exercise per day must be afforded to dairy cattle.

Pork and beef processors are visited by third-party inspectors who are animal welfare experts to verify compliance of Certified Humane farmers/producers. Environmental standards must be complied with in addition to a higher benchmark for slaughtering farm animals. A benchmark higher than the required levels set by the Federal Humane Slaughter Act.

Nevertheless, the following is allowed: Outdoor access and visible daylight are not required for all species. Chickens may not be in cages, but they are inside barns or a warehouse that some will consider over-crowed. These chickens are not "free-range." Birds can be "debeaked" and pigs can have tail-docking done to them.

Please review our Food Labels Decoded posting on September 23, 2013, titled American Humane Certified. Images of debeaking, farrowing crates, and tail-docking, can be seen by Clicking Here.

Bill Lauto, GTG

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Food Labels Decoded, Certified Vegan

10/4/2013

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Certified Vegan

Certified Vegan

Any product with this Logo, such as food, clothing, or makeup, does not contain any animal products nor was any testing done on animals. A nonprofit organization called Vegan Awareness Foundation does all administration work for this logo.

Since 1998 this logo, a registered trademark, has been applied only to foods, clothing, cosmetics and other products that contain no animal products as well as never been tested on animals. Hundreds of companies are featuring this logo on several thousands of products. Consumers enjoy shopping when this label is featured, because the shopper doesn't need to check individual ingredients on the side panel's long list of ingredients. Below are a few Vegan dishes, homemade and from restaurants.

Bill Lauto, GTG

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Food Labels Decoded, Cage-Free

10/2/2013

5 Comments

Cage-Free

If you think putting Humpty Dumpty together was hard, try understanding the puzzle of labels on eggs.

I am decoding food labels in alphabetical order, so while many labels can be on a carton of eggs, this blog posting is about Cage-Free, not Free Range or Organic. Now Cage-Free is also known as Free-Run, they are basically one in the same. However, I will also cover in this blog posting the term Comfort Coop which has an aka as Nest-Laid.

Just about 95% of the eggs produced in the United States come from hens in crowded confines. Cages not only control hens, they prevent the hens from movement. Normal behavior such as foraging, perching, nesting, wing-flapping and dust bathing are denied.

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Cage-Free Label

Cage-Free or Free-Run eggs are produced in a housing system that permits the hens an opportunity to live naturally. Well almost...

Each farm may have a slight difference in their housing system. Basically the hens live in an open barn, no cages, so wing-flapping is possible. Nest boxes are provided and this meets the hen's strong urge to nest during a laying cycle. The hens may also be given dust bathing material and perches, but this depends on the farmer and how the facility is built.

Cage-Free housing systems translates into freedom of movement, proper nesting and in many cases, perches along with dust bathing material. However, this is not the same as the Free Range label which will be covered in a future posting. Cage-Free does not mean access to the outside. In addition, there is no outside party overseeing this label. Therefore, how congested the barns are where the birds are raised along with other conditions are not always known.

Battery Cages

Cage-Free, yes, but overcrowded?

The egg industry is responding to the debate over battery cages and has considered the use of "furnished" or "enriched" cages. These cages are larger than battery cages and can allow a nesting area with perches, yet movement is still restricted and there is no access to the outdoors. Producers who already adopted these furnished cages are being labelled as Comfort Coop or Nest-Laid.

Bill Lauto, GTG

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