Mission Clean Air Tuesday

The electric car, the hybrid, diesel, oh my! What to choose.

Yes, our air would be cleaner with less emissions from our cars, and yes, it is confusing to figure out which car does just that.

This EPA site helps you to figure out which cars are best for air quality.

Do your research, see if you can afford a Nissan Leaf, which comes with rebates when purchased and may be more money up front but will save you money in the long run as you won't need to purchase gas. You may not be able to make that change today, but start researching now so you are ready to help to contribute to cleaner air by driving a cleaner vehicle.

Remember too that the cleanest form of transportation is our feet and bicycles!

Mission Clean Air Monday

Breathe in, breathe out. Aaaaahhhh. Hopefully that was a cleansing breath. Hopefully we are leaving clean air behind for our children and grandchildren.

To help today, take one simple step - stop smoking! If you don't smoke, good for you!!! As a non-smoker, remember your rights to ask people nearby to stop smoking if it is filling your airspace!

According to the Lung Association, second-hand smoke contains:

"-carbon monoxide, an asphyxiating gas that reduces tissue oxygenation
-formaldehyde, a carcinogenic, irritant gas used as a disinfectant
-benzene, a highly toxic and irritant flammable liquid
-nicotine, a substance producing an addictive effect and also used in the manufacturing of insecticides
-ammonia, a compound used in the manufacturing of explosives, fertilizers and paint solvents
-arsenic, an agent producing a highly carcinogenic effect on the skin and lungs
-hydrocyanic acid, a violent poison that is extremely harmful to the lungs"

If that doesn't have you convinced, know that cigarette manufacturing destroys trees that could be filtering our air, emits chemicals into the environment, and cigarette butts by the millions leach chemicals into our soil and water when discarded. Not only do cigarettes ruin our lungs, but also our air and soil.

Mission Clean Air Monday calls to you to quit smoking! And, if you don't smoke pass this message on to someone who does smoke to help them to quit!

Mission Giant Panda Friday

Help to protect the Giant Panda by supporting the Giant Panda Conservation Fund! The Smithsonian National Zoo has been one of the places for support and research for Giant Pandas in the United States.

These cuddly animals need love, respect, and a safe place so they can continue to grow and thrive.

Mission Gray Wolf Wednesday

The gray wolf is an absolutely gorgeous animal. Sadly, the gray wolf is also endangered. Many farmers, trying to defend their livestock, kill wolves. There are ways to keep the wolves away such as fences, lights, and alarms and none of those involve killing the wolves.

It is possible to live together with animals, including the gray wolf.

Learn more about the causes and how you can help at the Defenders of Wildlife.

Mission Polar Bear Tuesday

While it is a challenge to teach children about the negative consequences of climate change without creating undue fear, it is important for them to learn so that they can create change.

The polar bear is a way to introduce to children what it means to have one's home environment changed. Children love cuddly polar bear images and with the help of the World Wildlife Fund, kids can symbolically adopt a polar bear to help. With the adoption comes a stuffed polar bear, a certificate of adoption and information about the challenges of polar bears. The World Wildlife Fund continues to research the movements of polar bears, and works to protect them from poachers.

Your child can know that with this adoption, she is making a difference in the life of a little polar bear somewhere.

Read more at WWF.

Mission Lion Monday

This week is all about helping to save our wildlife. The animals that live in the forests, mountains, and seas are vital to the ecosystem and the survival of our planet. They contribute in ways that our beyond our full understanding.

Today, please read more here about the Big Cat Initiative, an effort to save our lions, and contribute in any way that you can.

Mission Green Peace Friday

You have just about completed this week's Mission for Peace! Get your green crown on!

Today's last adventure to achieve this mission for peace is fun, and hopefully one that you already have in your life.

Be a friend. Be a friend to someone new, an old friend, or a stranger for just a moment as you pass by in life. Be a friend who listens, cares, laughs and loves.

When you are a friend, you spread peace. Your peace is found in the relationship and memories you share with another.

This weekend, enjoy your friendships in a way that is meaningful for you.

Congratulations on completing Mission Green Peace this week!

Look forward to next week's mission, which will be........

Mission Green Peace Thursday

A positive attitude leads to greater peace! Today, be positive!

If you begin to berate yourself after some small incident, stop, and simply be kind to yourself. Point out the things you did that were positive. If you see someone who seems down, compliment that person. Be positive to another. If you begin to read the news and start feeling the world is doomed, remember that the trees continue to grow and the sun continues to shine - think positive!

Bring peace into your life today by being positive!

Mission Green Peace Wednesday

Big challenge today to achieve greater peace - DO LESS!

Yes, you read that correctly. Do less today. If that means running one less errand or making one less call, just do less!

In that doing less, check in with yourself to see if that creates a bit more sense of calm during your day. Hopefully you will feel some more breathing room, and thus more peace.

Simple and effective!

Mission Green Peace Tuesday

Tuesday is all about staying calm and exuding peace!

At least one time today, stay calm in a situation that you would otherwise be cranky.

For example, in traffic, or with your demanding boss, or with the eternally yapping dog next door.

Practice deep breathing, think of a place or memory that makes you calm, and get through that situation with peace instead of anger.

A Green Queen or King is at peace with nature and life around her or him. Practice at least one moment of that peace today.

Mission Green Peace Monday

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. and his quest for peace, we return to the values of a Green Queen or King this week.

This week's Mission will focus on Green Peace.

For Monday, find one animal, tree, plant or other part of nature that brings you a feeling of peace when you observe it.

Perhaps you find peace when you look up at the blue sky tomorrow, or peace in the warmth of the sunrise. Maybe you will find peace Monday in the simple act of watching a hummingbird flit from flower to flower.

Peace is all around in nature. Take a moment tomorrow to observe peace and feel it anywhere in nature.

Mission Clean Water Friday

Great job completing all of the activities this week to ultimately succeed in Mission Clean Water! There is one more that remains, and then you can crown yourself a Green Queen or King!

This is truly simple - make a pledge to conserve water. Conserve water in your home and your workplace. How?

5 easy ideas to get you started:
1. Take quick showers! Try to keep them under five minutes.
2. As mentioned previously, turn off the water while brushing your teeth.
3. Only run the dishwasher when it is completely full.
4. Use clay pot ollas for garden irrigation (Read more here about this)
5. Use plants native to your area that won't require extra water.

Conserve water, not only today, but this weekend, and as a part of Green Queen or King lifestyle!

Mission Clean Water Thursday

Coastal clean ups are a great way to get involved in the mission of keeping our water clean!

If you live in a state with a coast, then simply do a google search with your state's name followed by clean up. For example, a google search for California coastal clean-up returned their site for me which provides the next date of their annual clean up, as well as other events to participate in weekly or as I choose.

If you don't live in a state near the coast, then look for either creek, pond, or lake clean ups in your state or town. If you find that there is a lake in your town that continually has trash in it and there are no city or town organizations addressing this, then go to your city council or town hall and request that a volunteer group begin to clean that lake up! You will be surprised at how many neighbors, schools and businesses in your town will want to jump in and help to keep the water clean.

Start researching, planning, joining, or starting a clean up group today!

Mission Clean Water Wednesday

It doesn't matter how much you donate, any amount helps! These two organizations are making huge differences in helping people around the world to access clean water. I understand that financial times are hard, so if you aren't able to donate right now, tell five of your friends and if one can donate then that is great!

Charity Water

Water.org

You can also volunteer your time with either organization to make a difference!

Mission Clean Water Tuesday

How can it be this simple to avoid wasting our clean water?! It truly is this simple!!!

One act a day, done by everyone, can help to save millions of gallons of clean drinking water each year.

Can you guess what it is? Perhaps you already do this?






Turn off the faucet while you are brushing your teeth!

Many people keep the faucet running while brushing away, while the clean water drains away, wasted. After your put the toothpaste on your brush, be sure the faucet is off, and turn it back on only when you are ready to rinse! Voila! Do this everyday and you will help to replenish the world's water supply!

Mission Clean Water Monday

In our quest to increase the supply of clean water for all on Earth, it can seem overwhelming to find solutions. There are amazing laws that have helped throughout history, such as the Safe Drinking Water Act, and amazing scientific research aimed at water desalination.

What can WE do?

As always, we have the power on these missions to make huge differences! If we all do one simple act a day, those add up to phenomenal changes.

For Mission Clean Water Monday, today, if you see trash near a storm drain, pick it up and throw it out. If you are mowing your lawn, be sure to throw the grass clippings into the compost pile if you have one or the trash, but please do not sweep it down the storm drain.

Chemicals from fertilizers and trash that gets into the storm drains flows into our rivers and oceans creating toxic waters.

For a site that explains this to kids in an understandable way, go to The City of Oceanside Clean Water Program.

Have fun keeping trash out of the streets and storm drains today to keep our water clean!

Remember, when others see you doing this, they are more likely to help out too - spread the green power!

A Green New Year!

2011 can be our greenest year yet!!!


Top 5 EASY ways to go green this new year are:



1. Change your attitude! It is simple to have a green attitude, and once you do you will see SO many ways to green our world. The green attitude is one of gratitude. When you see each tree as a source of oxygen for us to breathe, and the sky as a reminder of the endless possibilities for life, and water as sustenance for all life, you automatically grow your gratitude.




2. Pay it forward! Pay your gratitude forward with kindness and compassion! Help out your community this year by simply spending time with a neighbor or volunteering at your community garden!




3. Recycle and reuse! We already have enough "stuff" on our planet. Let's recycle and reuse that stuff in smart ways. We all know the basics now - glass, paper, and more are easy to be recycled in our towns. Reuse by passing down those baby clothes to new moms in your neighborhood, or those books you once loved at a book swap with your friends - those are just ideas to start!




4. Unplug! Turning off your electronics not only saves electricity, but it also gives you moments with family, friends and peaceful quiet time that will help with your attitude of gratitude.




5. Treat yourself well! The respect you show yourself is naturally shared with friends, family and your world. The healthier you treat your body, mind and soul, the healthier you will treat the planet.

Happy New Year! Let's enjoy our missions this year to keep it green!!!