Green Living

Going Green: Depression Treatments

Check out some way to treat depression the all-natural way: Spend some time thinking about why you feel depressed. Sometimes, depression is a symptom of something incidental in your life, not necessarily because of a biochemical imbalance. Allowing yourself the time to really consider why your mood is the way it is might allow you to get to the bottom of it without the need of medicine. Take time to meditate or spend relaxing quiet time alone without any distraction. Exercise is one of the best ways to combat depression because when you move your body, you release endorphins. Endorphins make you happy, performing like natural anti-depressants. Skipping a meal is a sure way to induce a bad mood, so try not to do it. Maintaining your blood sugar stable helps keep mood swings at bay. Eat a diet that is rich in serotonin with foods that have omega-3 fatty acids. Some of them are wild salmon, sardines, herring, mackerel, and anchovies. Other foods that are rich in serotonin are healthy fats like coconut oil, and foods with lots of protein and tryptophan, like free range turkey. Numerous anti-depressants such as Prozac act by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin by receptors in the brain, ...

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Europe’s New Transportation Plan

The European Commission made a statement that petrol and diesel cars should be banned from cities across Europe by 2050 to put an end to their dependence on oil and combat climate change. The Commission has drafted proposals that target road, rail and air travel that will increase mobility and eliminate emissions and congestion. The Commission has so far adopted plans for a Single European Transport Area that is for the purpose of setting up a fully integrated transport network that will cause a major shift in transport patterns. The Commission hopes to cut carbon emissions from transport 60% by the year 2050. The main goals the Commission hopes to meet by 2050 are: - The discontinuation of conventionally fueled cars in cities - 40% use of sustainable low-carbon fuels in aviation - 40% cut in shipping emissions - 50% shift in medium distance inter-city passenger and freight journeys from road to rail and waterborne transport - The majority of medium distance passenger trips (a minimum of 180 miles) should be via railroad - Over half of road freight traveling over 180 miles will be transported via railroad or boat - Key network airports will be connected to the rail network - Key seaports will be connected to the ...

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Eco-Friendly Camping

Camping is inherently an eco-friendly adventure or vacation. Check out some ways to make your camping trip even more eco-friendly: Each camper should have a BPA-free reusable water bottle or canteen rather than using plastic water bottles. It's best to do some research beforehand and find out if there is a water source at your camping site. If there isn't one, bring a portable water purification system along with you. Most camping stores sell them. For new campers, try borrowing camping gear rather than making a slew of new purchases.  It's best to try it out first and see if camping is something that you will want to do regularly enough to justify owning your own gear. When you do make that decision to purchase camping gear, try to get it from a second hand store.  For those who have been camping for years, try donating your old gear to a second hand store when you replace it with new gear. Take extra reusable bags with you to your campsite for trash. That way, if the provided trash bins at the campsite are full, you will have somewhere to collect your trash and you won't be tempted to litter. Be aware if there are ...

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Eco-Friendly Lawn Care For Spring

Now that winter is finally over and spring is here, it's time to show your lawn some love. The trees and flowers are blooming, but your lawn will need some of your care to get back in shape after the cold winter months. Spring is a critical time to take the necessary steps to make your lawn beautiful and prepare it for the summertime. Weed and pest control along with fertilization and effective mowing are all issues that need to be addressed to make your lawn the best it can be. Just because its time to take care of your lawn, doesn't mean its time to make an investment in a collection of chemical products from your home improvement store. While chemical products can yield a green lawn, there will be subsequent damage to the water, soil and wildlife. To avoid this, take a greener approach to lawn care and check out the following tips on how to take care of your lawn the eco-friendly way. Intense winters can lead to an increase in the incidence of winter diseases like snow mold and dead spots in your lawn. Good lawn care is vital to helping your lawn recover from the damage ...

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Curb Your Bottled Water Usage

Discarded plastic water bottles continue to fill landfills instead of recycling centers, and thus the $14.4 billion bottled-water market is currently being scrutinized for being environmentally incorrect. Bottled water has been hyped for years as healthier, better tasting, and cleaner than tap water. However, tap water is clean and safe for drinking and will save consumers a lot of money. Over 90% of United States water systems meet all regulations by the Environmental Protection Agency. Thus, you can be confident that the water coming from your tap is safe for drinking. On the flip side, bottled water is primarily unregulated. A non-profit dedicated to providing access to safe and affordable drinking water, Food & Water Watch, says that the Food and Drug Administration regulates a mere 30%-40% of the bottled water sold in the country. While bottled water manufacturers claim that their water comes from groundwater sources or pure mountain springs, experts say that nowadays more bottled water come from a municipal supply, just the same as tap water. Since most of the country's water supply comes from a municipality, the local water utility is required to issue a water-quality report indicating the safety and quality of water in your area. Check ...

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