Condoms: Is there a eco-alternative?

Since my last post felt...let's call it "heavy," I thought that I would share an experiment that Dr. Getman of the Chemistry Department here at Northern Michigan University showed my CH 112 class.  He began the lecture with, "Let's say you and I met at a bar and I'm a condom salesman, not your professor.  So I'm taking off my Professor cap and putting on my Condom Salesman cap."

The experiment was two condoms that were filled and tied with 1.5 grams (g) of Ca(CH3CO2)2 and are placed in 100 milliliters (ml) of H2O . One condom is latex, while the other is natural condom made of lamb skin. After letting the condoms stand for 24 hrs, the natural condom is firm & bouncy (please envision a 60ish year old man bouncing this condom on the table in front of an entire class of approximately 200 students); while the latex is soft or "limp" as Dr. Getman adequately described.

Now one must be advised that latex is completely impermeable and the natural condom will be permeable to H2O.  This is differentiation is due to the material used for the condom product itself. The osmotic pressure is what's making the natural condom firm and bouncy because it’s drawing in H2O from the external solution.

Now the purpose of this experiment is to determine if: the natural condom prevent STDs and/or pregnancy?

The H2O solutions that the condoms were submerged in were subjected to a chemical test (I have forgotten this chemical's name, sorry for my lapse in memory).  The chemical (if Ca(CH3CO2)2 was present) would turn the solution white.  The latex condom's solution had no reaction.  The natural condom's solution had a cloud of white flourish as soon as the chemical was applied.

This means that the natural condom will not protect against STDs because virus sizes are approximately 30-700 A in size. Numerous viruses can permeate membranes, and lamb skin is a membrane (just in case someone forgot). Viruses can also simply leak through the pores within the lamb skin.

The condom will protect against pregnancy because sperm is too large to fit through the pores of the lamb skin and does not have the ability to permeate membranes.

Bottom line…use latex if you are unsure of your partner’s (shall we say) health. But if your both healthy and nature lovers go for the natural condom that is unless you're a vegan then latex all the way. Remember safe sex, very important.

This is why I love being a science major because my profs pretend to be condom salesmen in lecture.

Shopaholic Intervention

This is the chapter that I have been dreading from day one: shopping constraints.  What you buy, how often you shop, where the materials come from, how the item potentially to be purchased was made.  Everything that I buy: food, cloths, books, online purchases, jewelery, electronics, etc. is now questionable to how green are the items that I buy.

I'm a college student, meaning that I'm broke.  This daunts me!  Organic food is expensive, Organic clothes (that look cute) are expensive, my Organic make-up cost me a pretty penny but it's all I've been wearing these past few weeks (and Mom helped out), Wal-mart's main source of products are made in China.  Even before I started this project I understood that Made in China = sweatshop.  Now Made in China = put back on the shelf no matter how cute I think it is.

We live in a consumer driven society.  To deny this is like my classmate Kiah saying that she enjoys every minute of missing her breakfast just so that she can have make-up on.

I walk into Target and see the new spring swimsuits and instead of me walking away because I bought two last year (that still fit fine), I look and see if there is one cute enough to tempt me into spending $40 on a new one.  Later I check the book and movie section to see what stories could tempt me away from being a studious student and into the slacker student.  The Papyrus card section is another good time waster at Target; they are handmade, fair trade, and some are made of recycled paper.  They are also expensive, $4 minimum.

Now because I'm a poor college student, it has save me from overspending.  But when I do get cash I feel like it's burning a hole in my pocket.  Suddenly it's like: OH, there's a ring that I've been wanting at the Silver Crow! or OH, I can go out to eat at Thai House because I've got spare cash.  In a strange way, me worrying about my rent check bouncing save me from most of these temptations and keeps me from wanting to further my cash supply.

Going out to eat is an easy way to loose cash fast, and it isn't that eco-friendly: having one meal made especially for you (not a good use of resources) and the resources used aren't always certifiably green (even if they aren't organic, they probably aren't locally harvested either).  Now I'm not saying don't go out to eat, just limit how often you do so.  Going out to eat once a month is perfectly fine, and it also makes the occasion more of a treat.

In my defense about the ring (because I do feel slightly guilty about buying it and now I get to compensate with smaller grocery availability), it was fair trade made in the United States by Native Americans from out west.  It was relatively cheap, considering how many responsible conditions to it's credit and I wear it a lot.  The only negative thing that I could think about the ring is that I don't know where the materials came from and how it was harvested from the earth.

Every item I buy has pros and cons, and really it's up to me to weigh the options and judge how "green" an object is.  This section of Being Gorgeously Green isn't about throwing away all my current clothes to get an entire organic wardrobe, nor is it about throwing away all my food (as few items as they may be) to replace it with locally grow and organic food.  It's about controlling my shopping habits, to put thought into what I'm buying, to think about where I'm buying (thrift shops are perfectly fine, just because it's secondhand doesn't mean that it's not worth a look), and to begin to introduce items that are better for the environment into my life.

P.S. I am also aware that China isn't the only country in the world that has sweatshops, the United States has them too.  We just hide them better.

Workshop=sucess (ish)

The workshop today was interesting.  I created a powerpoint but couldn't use it because to rent a projector and screen was going to cost $65.  My entire budget for the workshop was $20.  So I basically had to wing it, which almost always translates into me not covering everything that I intended and standing awkwardly in front of everyone trying to remember what I had wanted to say.

Ten minutes into the workshop I had covered everything that I could think of.  Thank god for people having questions!  I could have gone further in depth about why the harsher chemicals were so bad but I figured those who came already knew that.  Not a safe assumption.

I also made sure to cover some of the bought products, like my Origins makeup, the deodorant, the toner, etc.  If you want to know how earth friendly your product is look for the company's mission statement in addition to the ingredients.  Together these make your product more reliable, earth friendly, and humanly ethical.

Marie, Amanda, and I had prepared some of the recipes that people could try while there.  The toothpaste one actually got people to try...though it didn't taste the best but you can add mint leaves to make it taste better.  My friend Ginger actually tried the cleaning the table (like I had encouraged) but the look on her face was one of enthusiasm.

I'm totally planning of doing another workshop next fall.  This time having more prepared, note cards for when I get stuck, do a lot more advertising, and to encourage people to bring things to clean.  It's really hard to do this workshop without having things to clean.  I want to show people how it works but taking to my apartment and cleaning it seems a little excessive.

ABC 10 was at my workshop!  Once I saw this person set up her camera, I was like: "Just ignore it, do the workshop and hopefully it won't be as bad as I think it is."  I'm not going to lie, I thought I would freak out.  I kept waiting for it to happen but it never did. Perhaps it was because most of the people there were people from ESO or SFSL.

After the workshop the reporter interviewed me!  Totally unexpected, basically she just wanted more of my opinion about my views and why I'm into Green Cleaning.  Jen, I used this to promote my blog, in addition to this workshop being a part of Down to Earth Week. 

Since I can't figure out how to post my awesome powerpoint here is one of the handouts that I had:

Green Cleaning

Materials :

ž  Vinegar

ž  Baking Soda

ž  Lemons

ž  Salt

ž  Tea Tree Oil

ž  Borax

Toothpaste Alternative

Mix together equal parts of baking soda and salt.

The dry salt makes for a fabulous tooth polisher!

Just don’t use this when you have known open wounds within your mouth.

Eggs: Good or Bad?

We’ve all done it.  It’s the end of the semester and there is food that needs to be eaten in the fridge.

Here is a solution to test whether the eggs in your fridge are good or bad:

Place the questionable egg(s) in a pot of salt water.

Fresh eggs sink.

Bad eggs float.

All Purpose Cleaner

2 cups H2O

1/2 cup white vinegar

1 teaspoon pure castile soap(Dr. B's can be substituted)

3/4 cup peroxide

20 drops of tea tree oil (if already in Dr. B's can skip this)

20 drops of lavender or lemongrass essential oil.

Can add 20 drops of citronella oil in summer as bug repellant.

In a 32 oz plastic spray bottle mix:

Suitable for acrylic, ceramic, tile, wood, marble or granite.

Ink Stains

To remove an ink spot from the carpet, pour salt onto the stain and let it soak up the liquid before brushing up the salt.

As with all stain removals, try on an inconspicuous part of carpet first.

Window

3 tablespoons vinegar

1/2 teaspoon pure castile soap

2 cups H2O,

And mix in spray bottle.

Green Pets!

12 oz peroxide

1/2 teaspoon liquid soap

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda.

Mix and store in plastic spray bottle.

A WORD OF CAUTION: If you don't use this up fairly soon the soda will solidify and clog the sprayer though so you can cut ingredients in half.

Fish Tank

Remove water, fish, and other contents. Create a paste of baking soda & white vinegar.  Scrub an rinse thoroughly before returning the fish.

Pest Prevention

Ant deterrent: sprinkle salt onto your shelves to keep ants away.

Not suggested for areas that are damp

Repel Fleas: wash your dog’s bed in salty water.

Weeds and Slugs: sprinkle salt around known areas/areas desired to be lacking in weeds.

Does your coffee pot need to be cleaned?

•               Use salt to clean your coffee pot. 

Just sprinkle some salt within the pot and scrub away.

Air Freshener:

ž  Teaspoon of baking soda

ž  Tablespoon of vinegar

ž  2 ½ Cups of water

ž  After the solution is done fizzling, mix well and place in a spray bottle.

Paint/Vomit: place a bowl of vinegar within the room overnight.

Bisphenol A (BPA)

BPA is a hormone-disrupting chemical that can mimic hormones in your body.

Has been linked to:

• Obesity
• Prostate Cancer
• Breast Cancer

Can be found:

• Beverage Cans
• Canned Food Container
• Plastic Bottles and Containers
• Dental fillings and sealants

How BPA leaches out of these containers:

• Heating containers or bottles
• Filling the containers with hot liquids
• Putting acidic foods in containers

The other handout that I had was the Cheat Sheet, the link is given in the blog.

Green Cleaning Workshop

As a part of Environmental Science Organization (ESO) and Students for Sustainable Living (SFSL)'s Down to Earth Week, I'm heading up a Green Cleaning workshop!  It's going to be Thursday, March 24 2011 at 1:00 p.m. in the Huron Room in the University Center at Northern Michigan University. 

I'm trying to incorporate many of the eco-friendly and pocket friendly measures that I have learned thus far in Gorgeously Green.  I'm also adding some recipes from a number of other books that are basic cleaning necessities.  Recipes for things like: toothpaste, all purpose cleaner, dandruff solution, a fish tank cleaner, and much more!

The facebook link is: Green Cleaning at NMU check it out if you're interested or curious.  If anyone has any questions please just ask me.  I'm more than willing to share info!

A Difficulty

I have been trying to use a handkerchief to dry my hands instead of the paper towel dispenser or the air dry machine.  FAILURE!  99.97% of the time I forget, and when I do remember it's an epic moment.

Usually I remember after my hands have been washed so I have to dig around in my purse to get the handkerchief out.  Basically it's just been a nuisance.  I'm going to keep trying, but this is a difficulty.

Why yoga?

Honestly I've been wondering this prior to people asking me.  It does save the gas and emissions of driving to the gym because it's something you can do just about anywhere.  It also doesn't require anything but yourself to practice yoga...with the exception of a mat if you are so inclined to use one.  But I've been practicing ballet in my apartment as well so doesn't that technically count?  And I don't need to use my mat.

According to Green Living Ideas yoga is considered green because of the basis of connecting the emotional, physical and spiritual well beings.  Though the origins are unknown for this practice it is thought to have emerged from meditation within nature and the evolution of civilization.  The numerous postures named after animals and plants is used to justify this in Green Living.  I don't necessarily agree with that justification because we develop land for housing developments and then name the streets after the plants and animals we just removed from the area.

I think I'm just going to settle for yoga bringing together the emotions, physical and spiritual well beings.  I enjoy playing a good volleyball game but honestly a lot of games can get out of hand.  The competition and my own "Watcher at the Gate" make it difficult to deal with others observing/participating in something I am trying to achieve.  With yoga, cross country skiing, and ballet I have only myself and the watcher with me; I can conquer my watcher if it's just me.  (Most of the time)  I can practice at my own pace and I don't judge myself as harshly as if I were with others.

The sense of achievement after conquering my watcher at the gate is similar to a favorite picture of mine.  This is Audrey Hepburn, who originally wanted and practiced to be a prima ballerina.  She wasn't able to make up the lost time of practice while being a prisoner of war in WWII, but just look at the complete joy on her face!  If that isn't accomplishment within oneself I don't know what is.

Exercise, going as predicted.

I am appalled at my lack of exercise over the last week or more.  Now I had a migraine last Monday so I didn't go to ballet.  A cop-out but it's a legit one.  Hopefully the future will be more efficient and consistent.

Yesterday 6 km were successfully skied (cross country) at Crystal Mountain!  Though it took me way too long to perform but that isn't really that bad for only skiing once before this season. The snow was poor quality (basically ice) which unfortunately made it difficult to grip with my skis making it all that much more work.  The grip wax helped little.

Tonight was the first attempt at Sophie's routine.  The stretching of yoga seemed more appealing than a repeat of 6 km.  The 20 minute program is rather difficult to read and perform, so mom read the positions to me.  She also took it upon herself to correct my interpretation of the position.  I suppose that I told her that it was alright to correct me, but I didn't expect her to be so liberal with her criticisms.  Oh the benefits at having a family member who also practices yoga.  Once the program is memorized it shouldn't be that difficult.  It's just the attempting part that's proving to be difficult.