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| In This Issue |
Why Eat Organic?
Plastic Update
Elephant Appreciation Day |
RGG Events |
SUNFEST: Hollistic Health and Sustainability. Sunday Sept. 21st. 10-4 Mt. Sunapee, NH Read More
RGG Events |
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- Do you have all of your back to school supplies? We are well stocked with paper, pens and pencils, notebooks, folders, safe whit  e correction fluid, index cards, Laptop Lunches, insulated Thermos food and beverage containers, and more...
- Klean Kanteen water bottles are available in all six colors and four sizes.
- New from Thermos, food/beverage containers in two sizes suitable for school or business lunches.
-Safe wooden toys including small "hybrid cars" and hobby horses.
- Our popular Lunar Calendars for 2009 in a variety of colors are in now in stock.
- More bamboo items, including a sturdy bamboo cutting board that catches crumbs.
- New sizes and styles of one-of-a kind shoulder bags from Sustainable Threads, made fair trade with beautiful cotton scraps and jute.
- In our personal care section, by popular demand, we now have sea sponges for women. |
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Green Tip
We really do enjoy reading all of the Green Tips that our customers write down in the journal located in the back of the store. Here is an example: "Keep a bucket in the shower - it will fill with the cold water as you wait for the hot! Use in the washing machine, or flush the toilet, or on the garden. " |
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Recommended Online Viewing |
Environmental Working Group (EWG) has found that toddlers and preschoolers have three times more hormone-disrupting fire-retardant chemicals in their blood as their mothers.  A short video from NBC news can be seen, Video Link, to help us understand the particular chemical called Deca, (one of the flame retardants or PBDE's banned in Europe but not in the U.S). For a written report, "Levels three times higher in toddlers than Moms", go to Written Report |
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Dear Reader,
What Month Is It? Organic Harvest Month! Makes sense to have some sort of harvest month but it is officially Organic Harvest Month: Organic Consumers. What better time to discuss the importance of eating and using organic products. |
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Why Eat Organic? |
Some of the reasons for eating organic are obvious: less exposure to pesticides, hormones, antibiotics and chemicals that have been shown to negatively impact the body. Being Certified Organic guarantees the product is GMO free (genetically modified organisms). In addition, recent studies show that organic foods have higher nutrient levels than their conventionally grown counterparts.
These are good reasons why eating organic is good for you. But organic foods also have a positive impact way beyond your plate and palate. Organic farming improves water quality by eliminating contamination from pesticide and fertilizing run off. It also improves soil quality by using proper soil management and avoiding chemicals that break down the soil which causes soil erosion. Organic farming is safer for all domestic and wild animals and birds. It also saves energy which reduces CO2 emissions. Organic farming helps restore biodiversity and protects future generations. Lastly, patronizing your local organic farmers reduces transportation costs and helps to preserve your community.
If you really want to jump in, go to: Local Harvest to find your local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). This is a fantastic program where you support your local farmer by paying up front. In return, you receive a weekly amount of farm fresh food during the growing season.
If the cost of some organic foods seems high, you might want to refer to the Shopper's Guide list of the top "Dirty Dozen" (which also includes a list of the cleanest dozen produce items). The top 3 items on the Dirty Dozen produce list are peaches, apples, and bell peppers - in that order. See: Wallet Guide for the complete list. Unless you buy organic, you may want to peel the skin of fruits and vegetables rather than just wash them. |
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PLASTIC UPDATE
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| BPA or bisphenol A is in the news again for its connection with heart disease and diabetes. Consumer advocates are at odds with the FDA which continues to state that this chemical does not pose serious risks. To help sort out the details, the news can be read here Environmental Working Group |
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Elephant Appreciation Day
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| September 22 is Elephant Appreciation Day-Really! Once again, we are fully stocked with our popular Mr. Ellie Pooh Paper. By purchasing Mr. Ellie Pooh Paper (made from 75% Sri Lakan elephant dung and 25% rice paddy) you are helping to support the only wild elephant program in the world that preserves the elephant's natural habitat. While there are other elephant dung paper imitators, Mr. Ellie Pooh is the only one committed to saving the Asian elephants. |
And now for some Good News! - From Plenty Magazine, we learn that companies like EWG, Patagonia, and Nike are making great environmental strides. For example, according to Climate Counts, Nike now scores highest among apparel companies for reducing its carbon footprint. For news on more companies, go to Plenty
Thank you for reading and for caring about the environment. And, as we say at Real Green Goods, Have a Green Day!™
Sincerely,
All of us from Real Green Goods |
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