The good folks from Green Envelope LLC will give advice on how to prepare your home for the winter this year. Learn how to cut down on your energy costs by making a variety of changes, both big and small, that all add up to serious savings. You’ll have the chance to ask questions about your own home and to learn about tax credit opportunities. RSVPs are appreciated.
Vitamin O
Dear Friends,
It is with great pleasure that I introduce to you Ryan Todd, a friend, customer and fellow local business owner.
Dr. Todd earned his bachelor of science degree in bio-medical engineering from the University of Iowa in May of 2000 with an intense focus on biomechanics of human movement. Dr. Todd earned his doctorate in physical therapy from the University of Puget Sound in May of 2003. He then graduated from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in June of 2006 with a degree of holistic health and nutrition counselor. He is board-certified by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. He holds a current physical therapy license in the state of Illinois.
In addition, Dr. Todd holds advanced certification in Sound Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (SASTM) and is formally trained to perform Functional Capacities Evaluations by the Matheson protocol.
Happy reading!
Maria
Vitamin O
In a series of two blogs written this past July (The ABC’s of VOC’s parts I & II), authors Michael Fallarino and Andy Pace (of Safe Building Solutions) effectively outline what VOC’s andHAP’s are, how the use of building materials/products which contain ingredients that qualify as VOC’s and/or HAP’s can effect the quality of the indoor air we breathe, and what this means to the consumer who is conscious of the potential health hazards related to regular exposure in their work and living environments. If it has been some time since you read their blogs, or if you are unfamiliar with VOC’s, I encourage you to read/review as the content they offer is very informative.
I whole-heartedly agree with the idea of being as well-informed as possible regarding currently available building products and coatings and how they can best be used to reduce the emission of toxic chemicals that can otherwise become concentrated in indoor air. This is especially true of new construction or remodeling efforts. In living situations where making significant changes to the interior building products and furniture is cost-prohibitive, efforts to filter the air to improve it’s quality would seem to make good sense and there are a myriad of products on the market that claim to do so.
What about the end-user? What about the individual who breathes the air into their lungs with the hopes of effectively utilizing the oxygen for it’s life-sustaining qualities? To that end, I would like to expand on how you the reader can make the most of what I call one of nature’s most important ‘vitamins,’ namely Vitamin O.
It has been said that you can live for 4 weeks without food and even 4 days without water. Yet after only 4 minutes without oxygen your chances of survival are extremely slight. It is safe to say that each of these elements is essential to human survival however most people don’t see themselves running low oxygen any time soon. Interestingly enough most people breathe as if that is just the case. Why do I say this?
First let me explain the two basic types of breathing…diaphragmatic/abdominal and chest/clavicular. In diaphragmatic/abdominal breathing the diaphragm (an umbrella-shaped muscle located at the base of the lungs) contracts during inspiration (breathing in). When it contracts it flattens out and pushes down on the abdominal cavity creating a protrusion of the abdomen. As it does this, the lower ribcage expands causing an increase in the thoracic space where the lungs are housed. This causes oxygen-rich air to move primarily into the lower lobes of the lungs. During exhalation natural elastic recoil of the ribcage and diaphragm pushes the oxygen-poor air out of the lungs with help from the abdominal muscles, which can be engaged to expel as much oxygen-poor air from the lungs as possible. In chest/clavicular breathing (the method most often practiced by people in our society) the intercostal (between the rib) muscles and the muslces in the front of the neck that attach to the top of the collarbones vertically lift the ribcage/chest cavity in order to create space for the lungs to expand. This causes oxygen-rich air to move primarily into the upper and middle lobes of the lungs. Exhalation of oxygen-poor air is pushed out during elastic recoil of the intercostal and neck musculature to complete the cycle. So which type of breathing is better during sports and why?
The upper lobes of the lungs house a concentration of sympathetic nervous system receptors that are activated when we breathe air into these regions consistently as in chest/clavicular breathing. This triggers a typical sympathetic fight or flight stress response in the body. This is exactly what should happen when we are faced with an emergency situation like being pursued by a hungry mountain lion because the body is then ready to deal with such a serious threat to it’s survival. However in our day-to-day lives this response is unnecessary and actually detrimental to our health and well-being in many ways. The lower lobes of the lungs house a concentration of parasympathetic nervous system receptors that are activated when we breathe air into these regions consistently. When the parasympathetic nervous system is activated the body and mind are calm and composed;an ideal state for most daily activities.
In addition to this there is a significant difference between the middle/upper lobes of the lungs and the lower lobes with respect to each region’s ability to transfer oxygen to the bloodstream. The middle and upper lobes of the lungs are not nearly as well vascularized as the lower lobes of the lungs. This means that, when we regularly breathe air into the middle and upper lobes (which many people habitually do), the amount of oxygen getting to the bloodstream and ultimately to our cells is much less than when we breathe air into the highly vascularized lower lobes of the lungs.
Proper diaphragmatic breathing techniques drive air primarily into the lower lobes of the lungs, which benefits you greatly. I train my patients to breathe in such a way that allows them to maximize their lung capacity for optimum blood oxygenation. Their breathing becomes much more efficient.
So here’s to making the most of vitamin O and to making the most of your body’s ability to utilize such an important fuel.
Ryan Todd, DPT
Functional Health and Wellness, LLC
www.fxnlhealth.com
Composting Becomes the Law!
Last week I read some great news and some awful news. First, the bad news: in order to cut costs, the City of Chicago is considering reducing recycling pick-ups to once a month or once every 3 weeks.
The good news is that, in another part of the country came a huge victory for composting in San Francisco.
Last week, San Francisco passed a bill mandating residents separate their organic food waste from their landfill-bound trash. And, while Chicago may well be behind the curve in recycling waste, Illinois passed Senate Bill 99 – Food Waste Composting. Effective January 1, 2010, it allows for large-scale composting in Illinois. Businesses will be allowed to have 3rd parties remove food waste where it can be used in composting operations rather than contribute to our waste stream.
New York Times article on San Francisco: http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/21/a-new-law-and-a-booming-business-for-recycling-in-san-francisco/
Fact Sheet on IL Composting Bill: http://www.bookrescue.org/docs/FactSheet.pdf
Finding Green Careers
Presented by Jason LaFleur, in partnership with Green Home Experts
When: Tuesday, November 17, 2009
7pm-9pm
Where: Village of Oak Park Public Works
131 South Blvd, Oak Park
What: Finding Green Careers is a brief seminar that will help you learn about jobs and careers in the new green economy. The goal of this program is to discuss the future of sustainability, show you some of the many related career options, and help you identify your role in this exciting field.
We’ll begin with a brief overview of sustainability, with special emphasis on its role in the business world today. A broad definition of what a green career is will be presented. The course then presents an overview of the top projected careers in the green economy, and appropriate designations people can pursue on a career path. Transitioning existing jobs into green careers is also discussed. The program concludes with actionable steps you can take to become successful in a career related to sustainability.
Learning Objectives
- Relate a green careers to business objectives
- Recognize the importance of a broad systems approach to a green career
- List several top green career professions
- Describe the need for existing businesses to transition to a green economy
- Create an appropriate career path for your own green career.
Cost: Free!
Reservations: Appreciated. Please reply to GoGreen@GHExperts.com.
Bio:
Eco Achievers’ President and Director of Curriculum Management, Jason La Fleur, is a member of the national Professional Development Committee of the US Green Building Council (USGBC), which sets standards for their Education Provider Program for LEED AP continuing education. Jason is also the chair of the Education Committee for the Illinois Solar Energy Association, and an instructor for the organization. Additionally, he works for the Alliance for Environmental Sustainability, a LEED for Homes service provider. Jason holds a Master’s in Education from the University of Illinois, and has over ten years of project management and curriculum development experience for educational programs. Further dedication to sustainability is demonstrated in his LEED Accredited Professional designation.
Ten Ways to Green Your Halloween
I’ve always loved Halloween. I vividly remember picking pumpkins with Dad and carving them at our kitchen table with Mom, parties at school, handmade costumes, and the candy. Oh, the candy. The individually-wrapped, make your teeth rot, sugar high-inducing candy.
There are many ways to celebrate your own Halloween traditions that have less impact on the environment. Here are a few tips to green your Halloween:
1) If you’re throwing a party, email invitations instead of snail mail. Try Evite.com for good-looking, easy and free invitations.
2) Eat seasonally. Celebrate autumn by getting produce from your farmers market. Enjoy hearty meals made with a variety of gourds, root vegetables, and apples. After you carve your pumpkin, cook the meat in a pie and bake the seeds for a delicious salty snack!
3) Pick your own pumpkin. Visit local farms instead of buying from large, commercial growers who ship their product from farther distances. Look for farms that use little or no pesticides.
4) Use re-usable plates, cups, cutlery, napkins and tablecloths for parties at home and your children’s schools. Reusing these items every year will not only save money, but will also lessen what you send to the landfill. We sell Recycline’s line of reusable products. They’re 100% recycled and recyclable, made in the USA, and BPA free.
5) Make your own costume, buy a used one, or borrow from friends. It takes a lot of energy and money to put together a costume you’ll wear once, so go easy on your wallet and the planet by putting together an ensemble of used items. Resale shops usually have nice offerings of not only costumes, but also decorations, at this time of year.
6) Instead of using plastic disposable bags to collect treats, use a reusable bag. Everyone has reusable shopping bags these days, and those will do the trick (or treat). We’re selling Halloween-themed ChicoBags for a mere $5. You can also take a brown paper grocery bag, decorate it, and then recycle it after Halloween.
7) Go reverse trick-or-treating. UNICEF has a great program that gets kids to raise money while trick-or-treating. Visit http://youth.unicefusa.org/trickortreat/ for more information.
Consider zero waste decorations. Choose reusable decorations and seasonal gourds. Stay away from flimsy disposables and anything requiring electricity. We prefer decorating with pumpkins and gourds, because they can be composted!
9) Give green goodies. Consider fair trade chocolate or organic lollipops.
10) Get outdoors and feast your eyes on the season. Visit a farm, pick apples and pumpkins, walk through a lush forest. Look up, look down, look all around. Fall is a festival of colors!
Do you have more ideas for greening your Halloween? Please share them here!
Pros and Cons of Tankless Hot Water Heaters
Finally, an article about tankless hot water heaters that I can agree with! If you’re on the market for one of these babes–or if you’re just curious, be sure to read this article. And before you buy, don’t forget to visit the EnergyStar website to ensure you can get as many tax credits as possible.
Calling All Women Business Owners!
In celebration of our seventh anniversary,
West Suburban Women Entrepreneurs presents
“PASSION AND PROFITABILITY”
Thursday, October 15, 2009
8:00 am – 12:00 noon
Holiday Inn Countryside, William Tell Banquet
6201 W. Joliet Road, Countryside, Illinois
| How do you as a small business entrepreneur take your passion and make it profitable during these challenging economic times? Building a business is hard work and if you are not driven by some level of passion, success is difficult if not impossible to achieve. Our distinguished moderator will lead a panel of three accomplished women entrepreneurs to explore passion as a critical attribute of success. They will share their inspiring and amusing stories of launching and growing their businesses, sometimes in the face of what seemed like insurmountable odds. Join us for an event that will inspire you to take your business to the next FEATURED MODERATOR
ENTREPRENEUR PANELISTS
Catherine Riddick, CPA, JD, Founder and CEO, XPonent Group, Ltd.
Nancy Sharp, Founder and President, Food for Thought, Chicago, IL
Click here for a PDF flyer for the event. TICKETS: $70 each TO REGISTER: Click here for online registration. MEMBERS ONLY: Click here to register online. Promote Your Business: Become a WSWE Anniversary Event Sponsor |
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Take the Car-Free Day pledge!
Ditch the car and grab your bike helmet on Sept. 22nd!
On Tuesday Sept. 22, Active Trans will partner with RTA, Pace, Metra, CTA and communities around the region for Chicagoland Car-free Day. The event is part of World Car-free Day, the one moment when people around the world pledge to go sans auto.
The day will only work if we get everyone involved. The more people we get to pledge to go car-free, the more fun the day will be! Plus, when you take the pledge on our website, you get a coupon for $1 off a large drink at Caribou Coffee on Sept. 22 (We’re not that crazy to ask you to go caffeine-free) http://www.activetrans.org/carfree
FREE Fall Perennial and Houseplant Exchange
FREE Fall Perennial and Houseplant Exchange
WHAT: It’s that time of year again for the Fall Perennial and Houseplant Exchange. Divide and share! This event is free and open to the public. Sponsored by the Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory (FOPCON).
WHEN: Saturday, September 12. Garden Perennials: Drop off between 9:30 a.m. and 11.30 a.m.; swap from noon to 12:30 p.m. Houseplant Exchange from noon to 2:00 p.m. Call (708) 725-2460 for more details.
WHERE: Oak Park Conservatory
615 Garfield Street in Oak Park
DETAILS: Drop off your perennial plants at the alley gate south of the Oak Park Conservatory. Coupons will be given for each donation. Bring houseplants to the main entrance of the conservatory between 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Then from noon to 2 p.m., the west gate of the Conservatory will open and you can redeem your coupons for new houseplants. If possible, please label the plants you donate with the plant name and color and pot them in plastic pots.
Take this opportunity to share your perennials with others, and discover new plants for your home and garden.
FOPCON is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to provide educational programs, community events and other support for the Oak Park Conservatory, an historic property built in 1929 and recently named to the National Register of Historic Places.
The Wait Is Over
After several months of anticipation, our 60 watt-equivalent LED light bulbs are coming at the end of September! These energy-efficient animals use just 6 watts of energy. Simply amazing.
Our 40 watt-equivalent LEDs were very popular last year, so we’re taking pre-orders of the 60’s to ensure we have enough stock for everyone. Usually priced at $69.95, we’re taking pre-orders for $59.95 or $110 for two.
Call or come in to get yours while they’re–uh–hot.
