oink.

Here's an idea... let's create a PR campaign surrounding the Swine Flu warning everyone that eating pork products will significantly increase their risk of contracting the disease. Then people will freak out and stop eating pigs! Right? Right?!

The big swine flu news in the ethical and environmental eating world is the link between Mexico-based hog confined animal feeding operations (CFO's) and the swine flu outbreak. There are dozens of reasons CFO's are bad for animals, humans and the environment, and it is one of the reasons I became a vegetarian. Maybe the only positive thing about the swine flu is bringing some awareness to the horrible living conditions these animals endure, and the consequences it can have on the world.

I recommend the blog articles by Chews Wise and Civil Eats for more in-depth information on this topic. And if you are really curious about swine flu and factory farms, visit the Humane Society's article here. (Not for sensitive eyes).

Happy Earth Day!

I worked my tail off creating a stop-by-booth at work on Green Living and had much less than expected participation. (A stop-by-booth is basically a table set up in the cafeteria where we provide information to the employees on various health topics). I'm not sure why the participation for this topic was so drab, but it's disappointing that people don't take the same amount of interest and enthusiasm that I do in keeping our planet healthy! Sigh...

Well, I'll take a moment and share some great green tips that I've stumbled upon from this project. Here's to living green!

• Change your bulbs. If every household changed just 5 conventional light bulbs to compact florescent bulbs, this would prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions from nearly 10 million cars!
  
  
• Say "no thanks" to ATM and gas station receipts. If every person did this, it would save a roll of paper so long it could circle the equator 15 times!
  


• Skip rinsing dishes before loading the dishwasher, and only run a full load. Today's detergents are strong enough to handle dishes without pre-rinsing.
  
  
• Use the cold water temperature setting on your washing machine - clothes get just as clean as using hot water.
  
  
• Observe the speed limit. Gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. Each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.24 per gallon for gas!
  


• Eat less meat (and you know I had to throw that one in there :). The average U.S. diet generates more than 3,000 pounds of harmful CO2 a year - much of which comes from deforestation for grazing pastures, methane emitted from cattle, and carbon dioxide generated from power plants that operate factory farms. Try having a meatless Monday!
  
  
• And always remember the 3 R's: Reduce, Reuse, RECYCLE!

michigander.

I moved to Michigan a little over 3 years ago. I have lived in 5 different states, and moved 6 times before the age of 10. And yet I have never felt such a strong loyalty to a place I call home as I do now. I love the state of Michigan and the city of Royal Oak where Brad and I have made our home.

I had this conversation with my Mom on a recent road trip to Indianapolis to visit my cousin. Indianapolis, by the way, is one of the places I used to live. We were discussing how interesting it is that in 3 short years I have developed such strong feelings for where I live. I moved to Royal Oak having never even heard of the city, and knowing nobody. I feel very proud of Michigan, and I take serious offense when someone says something negative about the state... especially when they've never stepped foot over the border.

I'm not exactly sure why I feel this way about Michigan more than any other humble abode, but the plain fact is: I am glad Brad and I ended up here. Michigan is a beautiful state with big cities, small towns, farms, beaches, hills, lakes, and fields-a-plenty. It has adorable little towns, such as Chelsea, big-city life and entertainment in Detroit, and everything in between.

Maybe it's because I moved so much, and having seen lots of other places, I know Michigan is a pretty great place. Or maybe it's the people I've met and the friendships I've made, or the fact that I own my first home here. Either way, I have enjoyed becoming a Michigander and look forward to exploring more of this beautiful state.