Category: Lifestyle

Tossing unwanted trash is a part of our daily routine. It’s so easy to drop that apple peel down the disposal, or trash that unwanted pillow right into the garbage. But let’s get to the real nitty gritty. Show of hands, how many of you flush down your tampons, cotton balls, or even Goldy the goldfish? Come on, don’t be shy. Well, you probably want to pump the breaks on this. Although no one wants an acetone soaked cotton ball or “moist towelette” littering their trash bin the results of flushing them down the loo are actually catastrophic.
Chemicals are being eliminated into the water polluting water systems and killing animals. And remember good ol’ Goldy that you thought was dead? Well, many sewer inspectors say that they’ve found massive goldfish just living down there breathing in all of those fumes. Can you imagine a more horrifying existence than that? Oh don’t forget the condoms you or your significant other have been flushing. Ya, those bad boys are not biodegradable and have a tendency to clog pipes and once again eliminate small ecosystems.
Here’s a quick and easy list of items you should most definitely NOT be flushing.
Tampons: Tampons are the bane of plumbers’ existence. Tampons clog toilets; they’re not even meant to be flushed. So stop, just stop.
Cigarette butts: Not only are they just bad for you, but there are a ton of really disgusting chemicals inside them. All of those toxins that are released into the water eventually have to be filtered out again and chances are some of them are gonna squeeze past that filtering process.
Dental Floss: Even though it’s minuscule in size it is NOT biodegradable.
Animals: No animal should be flushed down the toilet. Whether it’s a minnow to an alligator. We’ve all heard the horror stories. Just don’t do it.
Prescription medicine: You know those climactic scenes in movies where the drug addicts flush their pills? This is extremely harmful on the environment. These drugs kill bacteria, will contaminate groundwater supplies, and can have terrible effects on wildlife downstream. There are various services, such as takebackyourmeds, that will dispose of your meds properly.
Condoms: Condoms don’t break down in water. Enough said.
Wet wipes: Even though they claim to be biodegradable this is when they’re observed for an incredibly long time. Sydney Water claims that 500 tons of wet wipes are removed from Sydney’s sewer each year. Pretty gross, huh?
Hair: Hair clogs showers so what makes flushing hair down the toilet any different? Over time all of that hair you’re flushing will turn into one giant ball that will not only clog major pipes, but the smell that’s been accumulating over time…pretty horrendous.
Cotton balls: Cotton balls are another one of the offenders that don’t break down just piling up bigger and bigger until the entire sewer system just explodes with soggy cotton balls. And let me tell you, no one wants to be around for that!
Some of these are pretty common knowledge while others…not so much. So what’s a good rule of thumb? If it’s not your bodily waste or toilet paper…just chuck it in the trashcan. Wouldn’t you rather whisk it outside than risk it coming back up all over your floor?

Remember when we were kids and our parents were constantly badgering us about going outside to play? All we really wanted to do was sit on the couch and watch reruns of The Brandy Bunch, but they were usually quite insistent. When we inevitably asked why we needed to leave the comfy confines of our homes they’d usually give us some vague answer about how it was “good for you.”

Well, it turns out mom and dad knew a thing or two, even if they didn’t have any science to back up their claims. Going outside really is good for your health, even as an adult. Here are some ways that spending a little time outdoors can improve your mood, clear your mind, and make you an all-around healthier person.

A Shot of Vitamin D

One of the better known side effects of going outside is that your body can actually pick up a healthy dose of vitamin D from just being exposed to the sun. This helps to promote stronger bones, which can help to stave off osteoporosis. But there is also mounting evidence that suggests that vitamin D can also help to prevent type 1 diabetes, as well as certain types of cancer, including colon, breast, and prostate. And with a plentiful supply right out your front door, you don’t even need to take supplements. (WebMD)

Improved Immune System

Looking for ways to boost your immune system so you can fight off illnesses such as the flu or the common cold? Then you’ll definitely want to head outside. Studies have shown that taking a walk in the woods has a positive impact on your white blood cell count, which is important in fending off viruses and germs that can make you sick. Better yet, the benefits from that simple hike have been shown to hang around for as much as a week after the visit to the forest, which indicates that the impact on the immune system is substantial and long lasting. (NCBI)

Restore Focus

Going outside has been proven to help restore your focus. Connecting with nature allows us to escape the daily grind, which puts constant demands on our attention. Computers, smartphones, televisions, and other types of technology can bombard us with updates, notifications, and messages, sometimes to the point that it can be overwhelming. But stepping away from those devices not only helps to clear the mind, but allows it to focus more keenly as well. Spending time outdoors on a daily basis is like a mini-vacation from those distractions, giving your brain the break it deserves. (Journal of Environmental Psychology)

Combat Stress

In addition to being incredibly distracting, modern life is also very stressful. We all have bills to pay, jobs to do, and friends and family that demand our attention. Simply going outside is one of the best ways to combat that stress, as nature has a way of bringing a sense of serenity to our lives. Taking a walk can go a long way towards helping you to relax, even more so if it is on a secluded trail rather than a busy street. You’ll be amazed at just how much a short stroll can do for your overall well being, bringing stress levels down and bestowing a sense of calmness. (NCBI)

It Will Make You Happy!

Pure and simple, going outside will improve your mood and make you a happier person. In fact, researchers have found that when we perform the same exact activities outdoors as we do when we’re inside, our levels of satisfaction and contentment go up considerably. That means taking a walk outdoors is better for you than walking inside on a treadmill. The same can be said for other forms of exercise too. But the bottom line is that nature just has a way of putting us in a better mood, no matter what we’re doing. (NCBI)

These are just a few examples of how going outside can have a positive impact on your life. If you need further proof, just start spending a bit of extra time outdoors and you’ll start to see the impact it can have on your life for yourself.

After a day filled with blistering heat, Mary Ostafi, Executive Director & FOOD ROOF Facilitator, sits down with me for a chat about rooftop farming. Ostafi has been cultivating the FOOD ROOF Farm, located in Saint Louis, Missouri, for three years and has been elated at the growing success and support they’ve received. She was kind enough to take time out of her schedule to explain rooftop farming and the rise of urban agriculture, a relatively new way to bridge cities and organic-based food systems.
When I initially thought of a rooftop farm I envisioned a few pots with the casual tomato and pepper plant. However, this is nowhere near the scale of the modern day urban farm.
There are different variations for rooftop gardens across the country, but Ostafi introduced me to the most prevalent: rooftop soil farms, hydroponic greenhouse farms, aeroponic farms, and raised bed / container gardens. It’s important to familiarize yourself with these different models as it can help determine which farm would be a good fit for you.
Rooftop Soil Farms: These farms utilize a green roof system. Ostafi describes it as several layers of material, which end up being about four inches thick. They consist of a root barrier that keeps the roots from reaching the rooftop and causing leaks. Then there is a second layer that uses separation fabric followed by a  water retention board that hold excess water after rainstorms. Lastly, a thin layer of fabric is installed to keep the soil from penetrating into the layer below.
Essentially a rooftop farm mimics a typical garden you’d have only it’s located on top of a structure. Successful examples are the FOOD ROOF Farm and Brooklyn Grange whose total rooftop farm space ranges from 10,000 to 108,000 square feet. Both farms practice organic commercial urban farming.
Hydroponic Greenhouse Farms:  Greenhouses were originally designed so that the farmer has complete control of the growing environment. This ranges from nutrition that the plants receive to the CO2 levels.
Hydroponics is the practice of growing plants using liquid nutrient solutions eliminating the need for soil. A prime example is Gotham Greens, who’s first farm in Greenpoint, Brooklyn  was the first commercial-scale rooftop greenhouse in the United States.
Gotham Greens now owns and operates four greenhouse farms totaling over 170,000 square feet in New York and Chicago. Their second greenhouse is located on top of Whole Food Market’s flagship Brooklyn store and is the first example of a commercial scale greenhouse implemented into a supermarket. Their third farm is a 60,000 square foot rooftop greenhouse in Jamaica, Queens and the fourth is a 75,000 square foot rooftop greenhouse on top of the new Method factory in Pullman, Chicago. Their Chicago greenhouse is set to produce over 1 million pounds of fresh produce per year for the local Chicago market and is considered “The World’s Largest Rooftop Farm.”
Aeroponic Farms: Aeroponics is a growth system where plants have the potential to grow vertically. This specifically appeals to farmers who have limited space. Aeroponics and hydroponics are both grown in a nutrient solution, but while hydroponics is grown in a constant stream of water, aeroponics is on a timer.
Raised Beds: These are typically the most economically feasible gardens to create. They’re a stand-alone structure for soil and plants, but the downfall with them is they are not the most efficient. Some planter boxes are on casters, which can be easily rearranged if needed. Uncommon Ground, an eatery in Chicago with an emphasis on the organic, has utilized the beauty that rooftop farms can afford.
They employ planter boxes and earth boxes, which provides them with over 1,000 pounds of produce from their 700 square foot growing space. Placing great importance on seasonal, regional, and organic ingredients this could only have been made possible by utilizing their rooftop. They’re famous for being the “1st Certified Organic Roof Top Farm in the US” and have now clinched the title for “The 1st Certified Organic Brewery in Illinois.” With two local locations, this restaurant is setting the precedent for organic gardening within restaurant quarters.
Normally, farmers focus on one method, but in Ostafi’s case she decided to take a different slant by experimenting with several types of farming styles to find one that’s most suitable for STL.
“We’re trying to figure out the microclimate here and what’s the most successful [for providing results]. Essentially what we have here is a living laboratory of a green space. This is crucial when people begin experimenting in rooftop farming because climates are so variant and what works for one city’s farmers may release opposite results in another.”
Urban agriculture is a rising trend with tangible economic and ecological benefits.
Some experts say 40-50% of energy costs are reduced when a green roof system is used. The layers, and especially the soil, act as an insulator keeping the cool air in during the summer and out during the winter. Another perk is the automatic protection the roof membrane receives. No hail damage or wind damage can occur, increasing its lifespan.
From an ecological standpoint, the organisms that are being produced are able to utilize many components found in the outside environment. The FOOD ROOF Farm and other green roof systems collect water within a retention board that has been designed underneath the soil. The FOOD ROOF Farm serves as a perfect example to the benefits of a retention board. Collecting up to 17,000 gallons of water per storm this life source is readily available for plant roots to wick up through capillary action. In other situations, such as a greenhouse, cisterns are relied upon where water is collected and then used to water the greenhouse.
But what’s one natural energy resource that’s not dispersed? Heat. Across the nation, urban heat islands have been destabilizing the already precariously balanced climate. With the mix of concrete and black rooftops, heat is collected and increases in temperature as the day progresses. Once nightfall hits the heat continues to radiate increasing the surrounding temperature. This is why cities are typically warmer, even if it’s a few degrees, than rural areas.
Not only is urban heating uncomfortable, but it’s causing tangible problems, such as increased chances of extreme weather patterns. Due to our energy outputs, we’re changing natural weather patterns in our cities setting up perfect conditions for tornados and other natural disasters. When soil covers the rooftops it decreases the urban heating therefore stabilizing the environment to a relatively normal temperature.
Urban agriculture is slowly gaining popularity, and Ostafi is witnessing this firsthand through direct conversations from other farmers.
“Now people are coming to us with interest. Our motto is build it, and they will come. Our focus is building rooftop farms in STL, but our reach goes everywhere. There aren’t a lot of people who have expertise in this area. We are providing consulting services for future rooftop farmers and presenting our knowledge at urban agriculture forums and industry trade shows.”
Commercial sized rooftop farms are maybe a dozen with no specific coalition. Urban farms are starting off small, but with enough hands you too can be involved in building something beautiful. Not only will people in your community enjoy the fruits of your labor, but you’ll be surprised just how many people are eager to become involved.

I’ve always been a light sleeper. The tiniest speck of light, and I’d be done for. But a few years ago it became worse. Even with my eye-mask (yes I had resorted to an eye-mask), I was still tossing and turning. Melatonin helped, but it wasn’t something I wanted to rely on every evening.

I started to delve into possible contributors: stress, mood, and room temperature were a few of the very non-helpful reasons. However, I wasn’t buying it. I had burned lavender incense, started listening to tranquil new-age music, and created a perfect climate in my room. Nothing was helping, but then I stumbled upon a study that gave me pause.

In 2007, researchers from across the globe came together to study communication signals on self-reported symptoms and sleep. What they uncovered was troubling. Essentially, people who are exposed to wi-fi, cellphone waves, and any type of artificial energy have a more difficult time reaching their first cycle of sleep. In addition, participants in the study suffered from more self-reported symptoms, such as headaches, as well (Progress in Electromagnetics Research Symposium).

I’ve always felt uncomfortable standing near a running microwave and this latest tidbit confirmed the suspicion I had regarding those unnatural rays. However, I felt that it was a bit of a stretch to say that the waves from my cellphone were causing me to stay awake. I used to sleep with my phone under my pillow, but even by moving it to my dresser there was no perceivable difference.

It was an interesting theory, but could it possibly be true? Over 65% of Americans own a smartphone, so that couldn’t be a correct assumption, right  (Pew Research Center)?

In 2008, one of the first studies was published which confirmed that radiations emitted from mobile devices were giving consumers headaches and interrupting vital sleeping patterns. To say this was slightly disturbing would be an understatement. Studies before had been merging cell phones, internet, microwaves, and any other energy frequency into one group. But now research had been breaking them down into specifics. (The Economic Times ).

I had never had a headache after I talked for hours on my phone. I mean of course I’d get a slight twinge after I’d been on my laptop, but this was just because I’d been squinting my eyes. I may have trouble sitting still at work, but I can easily pass three hours online shopping or planning for my next vacation at home.  

I knew that there was zero chance I would give up my smartphone, so I disregarded it as a reason for my sleepless habits.

Flash forward a few years. It was still just as difficult to fall asleep. I was laying in bed, the blue light illuminating my room when I saw a Facebook post declaring cell phones to be the root of recent sleeping disorders. With a title like that of course I clicked.

A 2013 study performed by Dr. Charles Czeisler, a professor of sleep medicine at Harvard Medical Center School, revealed a problem that’s been associated with all phones – electric lighting.

Czeisler presents the idea that our eyes have two purposes: vision and sleep inducement. When light begins to slip away, at dusk, sleep-promoting neurons are activated. However, when we are staring at our phones at this hour chemicals are released that nullify the natural melatonin our body exudes when it’s time for sleep. All of these factors, when combined together, reduce sleepiness, increase awareness, and ultimately interfere with sleep (Charles Czeisler).

People that use smartphones after 9 pm, which would most definitely be me, have found that they receive a decreased sleep quantity and quality at night. This then transfers over to the next day at work. So you can guess what comes next, work productivity decreases and the cycle continues.

So I decided to test out this theory. I put my phone down around nine or nine-thirty. I didn’t necessarily go to bed, but I just engaged in a smartphone and television-free evening.

That evening I slept the best I had in weeks. It was a delightfully delicious slumber. I tried this for a few more days and from then on I have never turned back.

Electric lighting…who would have thought that was a real thing, but it makes sense.

So tonight, try sleeping without your phone. I know it’s a security blanket but trust me. A week from now you’ll be one of the perkiest people at your work, and your productivity will skyrocket.

Even if it doesn’t, your body will be thanking you.

Most of the headlines you see about Dubai probably focus on extravagant wealth and things that would seem insane in any other industrialized country (like the police driving Ferraris). However, the most populous city in the United Arab Emirates is installing one piece of technology that could be the wave of the future.
Smart palm trees.
The idea is to create a “smart city” by installing these self-sustaining features to provide connectivity, data, energy, and relief from the sun.  The city recently installed two trees, which stand about 20 feet and are constructed of stylized white metal. The trees have solar panels on the broad palm fronds that store energy to be used in the evening.
But they do so much more!
Aside from storing power, the trees and seating areas below them include several charging points for mobile devices. The company behind the tree, D Idea, claims the trees will charge a device twice a fast as a home charger. You can do more than charge your phone, though. You can also use the Internet. The tree includes a built-in WiFi hotspot that extends for about around 300 feet in every direction.
Additionally, D Idea included a “user friendly” touch screen where information about the city (in multiple languages!) is provided. The company also made safety a priority. Each tree has a 360-degree infrared camera, closed-circuit television camera and an emergency button.
Right now, D Idea has a contract with the city to put the trees in 103 locations.
Several cities in the U.S. have tried public solar charging stations, but nothing as ambitious as 103 locations. New York and San Francisco have both installed solar energy stations, but the rest of the country is still catching up.
Maybe the U.S. should start looking at the sun a bit more closely. You know, just not literally.

While you’re savoring that sweet and succulent nectarine do you ever think about where it came from? What farm it grew and flourished on, who harvested it, and how long it took to grow? I’m sure we’re all at least vaguely aware of the GMO, organic, and pesticide discussion, and have at least a passing thought as to what exactly has happened to our food we’re indulging in.

But let me ask you – have you ever thought about the soil? What type of soil your food grew in, what its condition is, and whether its health benefits are affecting the visibly perfect food you’re munching?

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has declared 2015 as the “Year of Soils” just so people like you and me can get the 411 on healthy soils.

The top points:

-Healthy soils are the foundation for healthy food

-Soils support our planet’s biodiversity; 1/4 of biodiversity to be exact

-Soils help to fight and adapt to climate change

-Soils store and filter water, improving our resilience to floods and droughts

-Soil is a NON-RENEWABLE resource; it’s preservation is essential for food security and our sustainable future

(Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations)

A pressing issue that ecologists are discovering is the challenge to rebuild topsoil. Topsoil is a non-renewable resource so the more chemicals and pesticides we transmit the weaker and less efficient it becomes.

Let’s take an example. Say you color your hair every six weeks. You color it red, brown, blond, and any other color that strikes your fancy. After a certain period of time, your hair is going to become brittle, be riddled with split ends, and eventually break off. The beauty of hair is that typically it will grow back.

This is not the case with soil. The more fertilizers we add to perk up the dirt the more its natural elements are neutralized, and once this occurs it’s terribly hard to revive.

Soil is instrumental in carbon flow as that’s what plants live and breathe. Ever since we were little we’ve learned in science class how important it is to diversify where you plant your crops from year to year. However, even with crop rotations, farmers are starting to stumble upon soil that is unyielding no matter what method they try.

Dr. Christine Jones is a soil ecologist who has spent years studying the link between carbon and healthy topsoil. She explains that all of the fertilizer and pesticide use has interrupted the carbon cycle. Farmers start out with the best intentions, but all of these chemicals are breaking down the billions of microorganisms that are crucial to soil.

But there is an even bigger issue that’s resulting from man-made fertilizer; plants have easy access to food, and therefore they no longer need to exude carbon (Christine Jones).

So, now that we know the problems what can we do to fix it?

Permaculture – it’s the latest buzzword for preserving soil.

Permaculture is a creative design process based on whole-systems thinking using ethics and design principles. It helps us to mimic the patterns and relationships we can find in nature and can be applied to all aspects of human habitation, from agriculture to ecological building, from appropriate technology to education and even economics (Permaculture Principles).

I know we all love the earth and the wonderful things it has given us, but we just need to educate ourselves a little more about how we can efficiently take care of and restore the soil which produces so much for us.

The earth is such a precious gift, and we need to take advantage of it. Bring your concrete jungles to life with potted flowers and plants, take your children out into the wild, and experience the rain. First-hand experience will harvest a greater appreciation, in turn making you care more.

When using renewable resources remember its value, not only to us but to the entire ecosystem.

We’re not the only consumers of the environment. Look at the caterpillar or the apple orchard. Everything is interconnected, and one careless move causes a chain effect. Not only should you value the diversity of the environment, but you should also make a conscious effort to utilize all the moving parts. Whether it’s from utilizing an entire broccoli plant to leaving a slug in its habitat. Not everything is going to be aesthetically pleasing, but it’s important to consider more than your immediate comfort.

When you have healthy soil, you have healthy food. If you’re growing vegetation in polluted soil, the finished product is going to be tainted as well. Healthy soil equals healthy living, and of course we want this to be accessible for our future generations. So take time to think about what you’re digging into and how you’re nourishing it. Spread the word, and our world will reap the benefits.