If you looked up the phrase “double-edged sword” in the dictionary, there should really be a picture of palm oil. Eco-conscious conservationists would likely prefer a complete ban on palm oil products. Growing and harvesting palm oil continues to cause widespread deforestation in countries such as the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia because brands like Unilever,…
One common misconception people seem to have about growing food is that we need a lot of space in which to do it. In reality, we don’t even need a yard! Urban and small suburban patio gardens are springing up everywhere these days, and they can be incredibly productive. Within the permaculture practice, small spaces…
Whether you view Palm Oil positively or negatively, it is inarguably one of the most intriguing products in today’s food manufacturing industry. Palm Oil is used in so many everyday products (including many of the world’s most beloved snacks and other foods) that it is nearly impossible to avoid. And unfortunately, this ubiquitous product is…
Other than reading or meditating, few things are more fun without a group of friends or family… especially when that group is working towards a greater good together. That’s the idea the folks at Organic Soul promote, encouraging communities to get together to go green. And we don’t mean just organizing an organic tea party with…
BCoutdoorsurvival/Video screen capture Homemade Camping Equipment (DIY Camping Stove) For anyone who has ever tried to boil water over a campfire, portable stoves may seem like a convenient luxury employed only by seasoned campers. But did you know that you can make your very own compact stove using only household tools and a couple…
Are you buying dad a new power tool for Christmas? Or a new digital camera for mom? Or maybe you’ve stocked up on remote control cars or other battery-operated toys to place under the tree for your little ones on Christmas morning? If so, a simple way to make those purchases more “green” is to…
In a ideal financial market, we’d all love to be able to buy all organic foods all the time. It’s been well documented by now that conventionally-grown produce contains pesticide residue, which is harmful to both farm workers and consumers, and can even cause allergic reactions in some people. Some fruits and vegetables contain more…
Water collection and storage is nothing new. Humans have been harvesting rainwater for centuries… millennia, actually. In fact, many of the ancient archaeological sites that we love to visit—Machu Picchu, the aqueducts of Rome, the Basilica Cistern in Istanbul, the ponds and linear channels of Angkor Wat, the rice terraces of the Philippines—provide great models…
Cup of Joe. Java. Liquid Energy. Brain Juice. These are just a few popular nicknames for most Americans’ favorite morning beverage– Coffee. But with a little creativity, this same morning brew can be used for much more than merely dragging you out of bed in the morning. In fact, there’s an entire list of…
One of the most important things we can do to protect our environment is to find ways to reduce waste and move towards a more waste-free lifestyle. Waste is problematic on a number of different levels. But perhaps the two most obvious are the fact that it pollutes the environment and uses up our planet’s finite…
