These days, however, we better understand the dangers of getting too much sun especially in light of the environmental damage that has been done to the planet. It is more important than ever that you protect yourself while outside and wear sunscreen. Unfortunately, this is where things start getting a little complicated. Not all sunscreens are alike. In fact, there is a very real difference between regular sunblock and all natural sunscreen.

Protect Yourself from Sun Damage

Many of the sunscreens available on store shelves actually contain toxic ingredients that can instigate health problems. For example, parabens, which is found in a number of cosmetics, have been flagged as endocrine disruptors that can cause reproductive and developmental problems. In addition to the potential personal health problems these products can cause, the toxins contained in store shelf sunscreen finds its way into waterways and have contributed to hormonal disruptions in fish and other sea animals.

The answer, of course, is to switch to natural sunscreen products. But this is not a silver bullet by any means. Even all-natural sunscreen products contain some toxins although the instance of them is severely reduced. A good way to find the best natural sunscreen for you and your little ones is to visit the Skin Deep Cosmetics Database.

This database lists almost all of the sunblocks on the market and rates them according to their toxicity and possible side effects. Among some of the best include Karen’s Botanicals and Kabana Skin Care Green Screen Organic Sunscreen. You can find these great products and more at My Green Mall which contains thousands of eco-friendly products that keep you and your family healthy.
Besides making good use of natural safe sunscreen, here are few tips for protecting yourself when you go out in the sun:

* Wear sun protective clothes such as hats and long sleeves that block the harmful rays of the sun. Companies, such as Solar Eclipse and Solartex, actually make clothing using fabrics that screen out harmful UV rays.

* Avoid being out in the sun during peak hours when the radiation is at its worst. Generally between 10am and 2pm you’ll want to stay indoors if you can.

* Use natural methods to handle sunburns such as using aloe vera gel to calm burned skin.

* Keep skin healthy by drinking lots of water and eating red, green, and yellow vegetable. Healthy skin can recover from damage a lot better than skin starving for nutrients.

There are many things you can do to help yourself and the environment. Using natural sunscreen is just the start. To maximize your green living, read other articles on the site about living greener, visit my green mall to start switching over to healthier organic products, or learn about building a profitable environmentally-friendly business.

(photo credit: Photos 8)

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While there are stringent guidelines watersheds must abide by, once the water leaves the facility it can run into any number of contaminants on its way to your home. Additionally, not everyone gets their water from the public water system. In many areas, mostly rural, water is drawn from other sources like wells. Private water systems are not regulated by the EPA, which means there may be no water filtration in place to ensure clean drinking water for residents.

Is Your Drinking Water Safe?

Unclean drinking water can carry waterborne diseases that can make you sick. The major contaminant of the water systems is human sewage which can infect the water supply with pathogens and parasites, like E. Coli and Giardia Lamblia, that kill an estimated 1.8 million people every year worldwide. Chemicals and unsafe metals, such as lead, can also find their way into the water supply and cause catastrophic disease such as Cancer.

There are several things you can do to guarantee that there is safe and clean drinking water in your home. The first thing you want to do is to request a Consumer Confidence Report from your Municipality. These reports will tell you about the quality of the water coming into your home. You want to be particularly aware of lead levels and any bio contaminants that may be present.

However, even if the report says that you have clean drinking water by the EPA standards, as noted before, the water can pick up any number of toxins and pollutants as it moves through the pipes. Therefore your second step is to test your water for purity. This is especially important for those getting water from private water sources that may not have an effective water filtration system in place.

There are a number of water testing kits on the market that will tell you if you have safe drinking water. Unfortunately, you’ll have to test for each contaminant separately which could make things a little expensive. However, the main things you want to check for are lead levels and bacterial elements. Another option is to contact your local health department. They may have a program in place where someone comes out to test your water for you.

The last step in providing safe, healthy, clean drinking water for your family is to take control of your water supply by implementing a home water filtration system of some kind. Your system can be as simple as using a handheld carafe specially designed for filtering water to be safe to drink or as elaborate as whole house water filtration systems designed to screen water at the entry point.

The cheapest option is the handheld carafe which you would generally use to strictly provide clean drinking water on a day to day basis. Whole house water filtration systems will filter all the water that comes into the home but is the most expensive choice. An in-between choice would be to install an under the counter system in the kitchen and then shower water filtration units in the bathrooms for clean bathing water.

In addition to providing safe drinking water, a water filtration system can also save you loads of money every year. Since you are getting clean water from the tap, you can stop purchasing bottled water which will save you up to $500 per year. By eschewing bottled water, you’ll also prevent 8 out of 10 plastic bottles from finding their way into landfills. You’ll do your part to stop the cycle of pollution since the chemicals in plastic bottles can leach into ground water.

Keep your family safe and healthy by installing a water filtration system to provide clean drinking water for your home. You’ll live healthier, be wealthier and do your part to save the environment. Not a bad return on investment of a single worthwhile purchase.

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3. Teaching Kids to be Green

“Bottled water is bad for the Earth.”

You look down the grocery aisle but quickly realize that the statement came, not from some militant environmentalist standing by, but from your eight year old who is staring at you with wide innocent eyes.

You ask them to explain what they are talking about and, to your surprise, you are given a litany of facts about how only 2 in 10 plastic bottles are ever recycled (the rest find homes in landfills) and how when plastic degrades, it leaches dangerous chemicals into the ground and water.

Needless to say you are shocked that you’ve just been schooled by your child on the environmental dangers of bottled water.

Think this scenario is farfetched? Think again. Children as young as 4 and 5 are now getting a green education as school teachers add environmental awareness to the program. A recent poll by book publishing company Scholastic showed that out of 2754 children a whopping 56% stated global warming as the issue most important to them.

Teaching kids to be green can be a challenge but with patience and a little creativity, you can raise environmentally aware children who care for the Earth.

Young Children

Young children may not be able to understand the environmental issues facing us today but even toddlers can learn some basic green habits. Start with recycling. For better or worse, children learn by watching what you do so let them observe you separating the trash into the different recycling containers. You can start with an explanation of the different types of materials and where they go. As they get older, you can further explain why it is important to recycle.

Another easy area to start instilling good green habits is teaching them how to conserve resources. Get them used to turning out lights when they leave a room. Make it a habit for them to fill a glass with water to use to rinse their mouth out after brushing their teeth rather than leave the faucet running.

Older Children

When children are old enough to start helping around the house, you can get them excited about being green with a little kitchen chemistry. Show them how to make an all purpose cleaning solution out of vinegar (50%) and water (50%). You can also make a furniture polish using 1 cup of olive oil and ½ cup of lemon juice. Something kids might find especially fun is to shred a whole lemon (or orange) peel in the garbage disposal to clean it.

Preteens and Teens

As children become increasing mobile and self-sufficient, you can encourage them to expand their green efforts beyond the home. Get them involved in local environmental projects such as planting trees and cleaning up local parks. For driving teens that may be looking to purchase their first car, steer them towards hybrid and electric cars as well as teach them the value of carpooling with friends.

It’s never too early or too late to start instilling good eco-friendly habits in kids. You can even show them how to run a green business with your own Earth-friendly company that earns you money while helping you save the environment. For more information on this groundbreaking opportunity, visit RockYourBusinessOnline.com.

(photo credit: D Sharon Pruitt)

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Well you’re in luck because I’ve put together a few going green tips that will help you turn your life a shade greener as well as save you money in the process. It’s as simple as remembering to reduce, reuse and recycle.

Going Green is as Easy as Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

Going Green Tip #1 – Reduce

Of all the tips for going green at home, reducing your waste and consumption is probably the most challenging but also the most rewarding. The goal is to find products that help you use fewer resources and produce less waste which, in the long run, will keep your bank account nice and fat.

For example, the average family will spend a minimum of $10 per week on bottled water which adds up to over $500 per year. By purchasing a water filtration system and using reusable water bottles to make your own bottled water at home, you’ll not only save that money but you’ll prevent a over 400 plastic bottles from clogging cup landfills and water ways.

Going Green Tip #2 – Reuse

One way to save money going green this year is by reusing as much as you can. Instead of buying disposable sandwich bags, pack your kids lunch using plastic containers for food and a thermos for their favorite drink. Don’t purchase trash bags for your bathroom, use the plastic bags you get from the grocery store to line those small containers.

If you are crafty, you can give old, worn out clothing new life by turning them into pillow coverings, blankets and even restyle them into a different type of clothing. For example, turn ripped jeans into a pair of shorts or a stylish denim purse. You’re only limited by your imagination.

Going Green Tip #3 – Recycle

Some homes are going green by recycling as much as they can. Not only are they recycling consumables such as aluminum cans, glass and plastic bottles and paper but they are also closing the gap by purchasing products made from recycled materials. As the demand for recycled products goes up, more and more companies will make the effort to produce them which will lead to a greener planet for all.

You should also try to purchase products that are biodegradable which means when they are thrown away, they will deteriorate quickly in an Earth-friendly way. Paper products, such as paper plates, cups and towels all have green counterparts that work just as well or better and are easier on the environment.

Going green at home doesn’t have to be a complicated task. Just remember to reduce, reuse and recycle and you’ll be living the green life in no time. If you want to take it a step further and own a green business, let me tell you about my online shopping portal that earns me cash while I go green. To learn how I am increasing my income while doing my part to save the planet visit RockYourBusinessOnline.com.

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