Champion Eco Fleece - Greenwashed or Not?

During my recent shopping trip, my eyes caught sight of a little white and green tag. The companies succeeded once again in their potential greenwashing efforts because I was curious what new, eco-friendly product this could be. Yes, I am always curious about any green tag because it means that there is a possibility I can discover a new eco-friendly product.

I assumed the eco-friendliness had something to do with the fabric, potentially recycled polyester. I quick glance at the tag confirmed my assumption, made with up to 50% recycled polyester! Awesome! Champion's Eco Fleece line was paving the way for other fitness companies to join. And then, doubt set it.

I looked at the tag again. I was in disbelief that I could find recycled polyester products at this particular brick-and-mortar store. I read the description again and realized that the fleece is "made with up to 5% recycled polyester fibers." Five percent? What? I misread 5% as 50%! Maybe I was too hopeful! Not only was it 5%, but it was "up to 5%." Seriously?!? Up to five percent? Not that it is exactly five percent, but up to five percent. Meaning that it could be one percent or less. "How sad!" I thought. Personally, I would not waste my money or energy on "up to 5%." Yes, it is better than nothing, but if they cannot guarantee even 5%, then I'm not going to guarantee my support of their new line.

>> What do you think? Greenwashed or not?

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Fasting for Your Health

Fasting comes in many different forms and for many different reasons. From juice fasting to completely abstaining from food, fasting provides numerous health benefits. Fasts are defined as extended periods of time in which a person abstains from all or certain foods and drinks. This post will illuminate the good, the bad, and the hungry on fasting. You can also read about my first few days of the St. Philips/Nativity Fast.

The Good

1. Fasting detoxifies your body. Organs such as the liver, kidney, and spleen remove and neutralize toxins from the body to keep cells healthy. Fasting reduces input from additional toxins.  
2. Fasting may help your heart. Fasting for one day a month may prevent heart disease and insulin resistance, a precursor to diabetes. During fasting, fat is used for fuel. In the long run, you have fewer fat cells in your body. This means less insulin resistance and lower risk of heart disease later in life.
3. Abstaining from meat and meat products helps the environment.
4. Fasting provides spiritual gains. Removing food as a pleasure brings us closer to spiritually.
5. More benefits.

The Bad and The Hungry

1. Abstaining from food and/or water for long periods of time can lead to kidney and liver damage because your blood becomes more acidic.
2. Fasting will NOT help you lose weight and keep it off. This is basically yo-yo dieting. The small drop in weight will return once you start eating normally.
3. Fasting does NOT replace healthy eating. Fasting lowers levels of important nutrients like Vitamin D, Calcium, and Omega-3 fatty acids. 
4. Fasting is NOT recommended for those who are ill, pregnant, nursing, training for any athletic event.
5. Abstaining from food can cause fatigue and crankiness.

Important Disclaimer: Fasting is NOT for everyone! I am not promoting that you abstain from food and liquids. Check with your physician before beginning any type of fast where you abstain from foods and liquids. It is critically important that you understand how to fast safely and as part of a healthy lifestyle.

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Advent Fasting - Day 1 and 2

This year, I am committed to fasting for Advent (also known as St. Philips Fast or Nativity Fast). Orthodox Christianity provides strict guidelines for fasting. Although, the level to which you fast depends on factors such as your country, parish, or personal devotion. I am only beginning to learn all of the ins and outs of fasting, so I will continue to post my experience because there ARE eco-friendly reasons for fasting!

The December fasting schedule is to the right.

My experience is below.

Day 1 (December 6) - Fish Allowed

Breakfast: Homemade whole wheat bread with dried fruit, yogurt.
Lunch: Greens with smoked trout and goat cheese.
Snacks: Fruit, dried fruit, nuts.
Dinner: As the oven-roasted Turkey breast was cooking, I realized that I could not eat meat. I ate bread, cheese, and cranberry sauce.

Thoughts: Dairy and oil are not allowed, so I need to abstain from these also.

Day 2 (December 7) - Strict Fast (bread, veggies, fruit)
Breakfast: Oatmeal made with water, added banana, cinnamon. Recipe

Lunch: Pickled cabbage, bread with hummus, bread with peanut butter and honey

Dinner: Chipotle, rice, veggies, guacamole. No sour cream or cheese.

Thoughts: The strict fast is definitely hard, but I realized that I am pretty much eating Vegan! How cool is that! Two birds, one stone! I also need to ask my dad about sweeteners and grains.

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Wordless Wednesday - Greenwashing Exposed

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Challenge Check In: Reducing My Electricity Usage [#CTWW]

Just a little reminder about the multi-month challenge from Mrs. Green. 

My challenge is to reduce the usage by 10% each week. My plan was to track the electric and gas usage by taking a reading every Monday morning at 7am.

How did I do?

My spreadsheet is below. The numbers in green are positives because I am reducing usage.  The reds are negatives because I am using more than the previous week.

Electricity: Used to power lights, appliances, A/C, etc.
Results: I did pretty good for the first two weeks, but the last week had an increase. The only change I would think of is that we hosted Bible Study and my husband worked on the computer some nights instead of going to bed, so that bumped up the electricity usage.

Gas: Used for heating and hot water.
Results: I am surprised by the huge variations and jumps. I have been lowering one more degree when we are at work during the day. My husband took a few baths because of the colder weather and we bumped up the temperature during Bible Study.

I will continue to track weekly usage and take more detailed notes so that I can pinpoint what we are doing or not doing.  Here is my strategy for the coming weeks:

1. Turn 2 TV sets with cable boxes when at work during the day.
2. Turn down one more degree (in addition to the one above) when at work during the day.
3. Follow my husband around the house and turn off lights behind him. :)
4. What advice can you offer?

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