Algae Fueled Car

A modified Prius is making a tour of the country while running on a fuel blended with algae.

http://ecogeek.org/automobiles/2942-first-algae-fueled-car-crossing-the-country

Popularity: 3% [?]

Solar powered bus stops with free wifi?

Looks like San Fransisco could get 360 new bus stops with free, solar powered WiFi.

http://www.examiner.com/x-8134-SF-Gadgets-Examiner~y2009m8d17-San-Fransisco-nextgen-bus-stops-to-get-free-solarpowered-WiFi

Popularity: 4% [?]

Organic WiFi?

Toyota is placing solar powered plant sculptures around US cities that generate electricity and provide free WiFi.

http://www.physorg.com/news167321476.html#

Popularity: 4% [?]

Back2Yourself Review

The following post is a paid review, is completely of my own opinion, and is not influenced by being paid. If you are interested in having your site or product reviewed, please contact me at administrator@environmentastic.com

What is Back2Yourself?

Back2Yourself is a provider of a simple, home-based method to eliminate or prevent Back Pain by improving your body mechanics. They provide an online program of exercises designed to strengthen your core trunk muscles, which helps support and encourage better posture.

Does it Work?

Well, ask yourself this – long-term, do the pain-killers you’re taking now work? I would never and will never speak out against our medical system in general – it has its place, especially for acute pain and life-threatening issues; however, environmentastic! always supports prevention and natural solutions before committing to a lifetime of medicine that may cause addiction, dependence, and/or side effects (some of which may require there own medication to fight – seems like a vicious circle, no?).

So now let me answer the question more directly – The New England Journal of Medicine posted an article by Richard A. Deyo M.D., M.P.H. and James N. Weinstein D.O. stating that nearly 70% of back pain is caused by muscle strains and sprains (see page 3). Stronger and more flexible muscles can limit strains and sprains. So yes – if you follow the exercises, you can have fewer and shorter pain episodes, as well as faster and easier recovery from episodes when they occur.

But will you follow the exercises? I can’t answer that for you. What I can say is that Back2Yourself seems to have a program that will keep you motivated. They encourage daily back exercise, self evaluation tracking, and support from their team to make sure you acheive the results you want. The program is flexible, adjustable, and personable.

Conclusion

Back2Yourself costs $29.95 per month, which could be well worth the expense if you regularly suffer from back pain. They also – at least for now – have a free trial option on their website so you can check it out and try it out before you commit to paying for it.

It’s worth a look to see if it can help you avoid permanent “temporary’ pain killers for preventable back pain!

Namaste,
A. Caleb Hartley

Popularity: 8% [?]

Food for thought?

Howdy!

As we quickly approach Food Independence Day, I ask what you’ve considered about your own food consumption habits?

*I spent last weekend in lovely Manchester, TN at the Bonnaroo Festival. Bonnaroo does more than most festivals in trying to lessen its footprint, which got me thinking about what a little citizen action could do at ANY event!

1-Separate bins for trash, recycling, and compost throughout the grounds.
2- A person called a “trash talker” posted at trash stations to help tell you whether you needed to recycle, compost, or trash. (I do wish they’d been dressed like scarecrows so the pointing would’ve been more theatrical…)
3- Water refilling stations throughout the venue that encourage the use of reusable bottles.

How easy would it be to incorporate these small steps into any community festival or even outdoor concert facility? How can we make this happen? Public events are monsters for trash generation, and I would argue the implementation of the “trash talkers” made a significant difference in making sure disposables got placed in the right container… just some thoughts.

**Do you eat soy? (tofu, edamame, soy milk… chances are you eat soy whether you know it or not!)

Our pals at the Cornucopia Institute have provided this guide to help navigate which companies are giving you the goods, and which ones are giving you the runaround. (Personally, I love their use of the word “charlatans.” Grrrr!)

Soy Report and Scorecard

[while you're there I also recommend checking out the "Who Owns Organic?" chart... it will make you choke on your wheatgrass to see how the food system is structured!]

***Want something to look forward to on Mondays?

Sir Paul McCartney (my third fave Beatle) has announced his MEAT FREE MONDAY campaign– just one day a week can help reduce world carbon emissions, your own carbon footprint, and with the recipes provided on his website, your waistline, too!

MEAT FREE? PASS THE TWO VEG!

**** And if you’re just looking for some healthier substitutes in your regular diet, MomCentral compiled this list of easy substitutes that improve your nutrient intake… frequently with yummier substitutions. (Admittedly, I’m biased– most days I’m convinced I could live on sweet potatoes and avocados.)

Mom says eat right!

Be delicious!
BB

Popularity: 20% [?]