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>>Rose O'Toole- Hello and welcome to the CommonHealth Greener Virginia program.
This program will help us eat green, live green and ultimately save green.
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>>How many of us have lingered in the produce section of our local grocery store wondering
about organic foods?
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>>Many businesses, organizations, and individuals are making the commitment to "go green." What
does it really mean?
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>>The Greener Virginia CommonHealth program is going to help us eat green, save green
and live green.
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>>I am sure that we can all agree that saving money, making healthy eating choices, and
protecting our environment are very important.
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>>Did you know that Americans throw away enough aluminum to rebuild our entire commercial
fleet of airplanes every three months?
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>>That a cigarette butt takes 12 years to biodegrade?
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If every American recycled just one-tenth of their newspapers, we could save 25 million
trees a year?
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>>Today we are going to learn some healthy and environmentally sound habits like eating
better foods, finding out more about organic foods, what some of the green labels mean,
and ultimately how to save yourself money.
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>>Let’s start by taking a look at the healthy green eating.
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>>Eating better is good for you and a greener Virginia.
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By making small changes and going back to the basics of eating foods grown a tree or
in the ground you will bring about health benefits and lessen the impact on our environment.
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>>Follow these simple tips to make a smooth transition towards a wholesome diet.
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>>Eat more plant foods like nuts, grains, legumes, vegetables, fruit and seeds.
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>>Think in terms of the main dish being "whole grains, fresh vegetables or fruit, beans and
moderate amounts of lean animal proteins." For example, you can stir-fry vegetables with
small amounts of meat served over whole grain rice instead of a meat loaf and mashed potatoes.
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>>Or better yet, go "meatless" one day a week. It takes more energy, water, and resources
to produce a pound of meat, than it does a pound of grain or produce.
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>>Look for products made without excessive processing and packaging.
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>>Buy seasonal, locally grown foods whenever possible. Look for the "Virginia Grown" label
at your grocery and specialty stores.
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>>Make sure the organic products you buy have the USDA label. This will ensure that the
foods were grown, handled, and processed to meet government standards set by the U.S.
Department of Agriculture.
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>>Consuming more wholesome foods, grown locally will help you, the environment, and your local
economy.
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>>By keeping these tips in mind and slowly starting to change the way you eat, you will
be surprised at how easy the transition is from fatty foods to whole foods, and, you
should begin to notice a difference in the way you feel.
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>>Now living green has hit the mainstream. That's good, because it means that green products
and alternatives are more plentiful than ever before.
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>>Big companies are also profiting on the green movement by labeling their products
making them look eco-friendly even when they're not. This is called greenwashing.
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>>Greenwashing is most common in three household categories: Kids toys and baby products, Cosmetics,
and Cleaning Products. Only about 2% of products labeling themselves as green are completely
green. The remaining 98% on the shelves...not so much.
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>>So how can you tell which ones to buy to be green?
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>>Well we can start by learning what some of the terms mean on the packaging.
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>>Biodegradable means to breakdown. Most products will biodegrade, or break down, eventually,
so seeing it on the label does not mean it is necessarily green.
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>>Cruelty-Free means not tested on animals.
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>>And then the term Free Range? Well the Free Range label brings to mind animals roaming
free in an open pasture grazing in clean fields and drinking from fresh cool streams. But
unfortunately, this is not the case.
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>>The USDA has only defined the term for labeling poultry, not beef or eggs. So be cautious
of the free range label.
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>>Recyclable simply means able to be recycled. So contact your local recycling center to
find out what products and materials are accepted in your area.
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>>You can also check the CommonHealth website for a listing of labels that are actually
verifiably better for you and our planet. So check them out before your next shopping
trip to avoid giving up your green for an eco-imposter.
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>>Now eating and living green can actually help us save green. Making some of the changes
we’ve talked about is cost effective and can save you money.
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>>Now, FACT OR FICTION? Turning things off and then back on uses more energy...
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>>That's FICTION!
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>>While an extra surge of electricity flows when you turn on an electrical device, this
surge is brief and uses very little extra power. So, turning off an appliance is more
efficient than leaving it on. Even computers monitors can be safely turned off when you
are not using them.
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>>Here are a few comparisons and tips to consider:
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>>Unplug the extra refrigerator in your basement or garage, and save 448 lbs of carbon dioxide
per year. Unplug appliances like microwaves, stereos, DVDs and printers that do not have
to be on all the time, but use energy when they are plugged in. Simply unplugging these
appliances can save a lot of energy.a refrigerator in your basement or garage, and save 448 lbs
of carbon dioxide per year. Unplug appliances like microwaves, stereos, DVDs and printers
that do not have to be on all the time, but use energy when they are plugged in. Simply
unplugging these appliances can save a lot of energy.
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>>For every 75-watt incandescent light bulb which you replace with a 20-watt compact fluorescent,
you’ll get the same amount of light but save 1,300 lbs. of CO2 and $55. Turn off
unneeded lights, and keep bulbs dust-free. Dust on a light bulb or dirt on a glass fixture
can reduce the light it emits by 10 percent and make it seem that you need a higher-wattage
light.percent and make it seem that you need a higher-wattage light.
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>>Now let's talk about home heating. If you lower your thermostat by 2 degrees you save
353 pounds of carbon dioxide a year. For every degree lower your heat in the sixty to seventy
degree range you'll save 5% on heating costs.
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>>For additional cost savings, change furnace filters often because dirty filters reflect
airflow and waste energy. Keep your furnace clean and properly adjusted and replace those
simple dial types with smart, programmable thermostats these units allow you to set the
heating and cooling system to take a break while your asleep or out. Then they will come
on at preset times to keep you comfortable when you are awake or return home.
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>>You can also save energy at work. Turn off office equipment when not in use. Reduce energy
consumption and equipment wear by setting computers, monitors, and copiers to sleep-mode.
Better yet, turn them all the way off if you are not going to use them for an extended
period of time, particularly when you go on vacation.
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>>Do the same with the microwave in the office lunchroom, and other office appliances which
are always on. Over your lunch break, turn off your computer monitor. This small step
will save energy without having to reboot. Encourage your co-workers to do the same.
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>>Living green means living more simply. Virtually every physical object you buy in a store requires
energy for its production or operation. This includes clothing, accessories, household
furnishings, office supplies, appliances, sporting goods, decorative objects, and toys
you name it, it costs. Most of us would have happier and more fulfilled lives and save
tremendous energy and money by reducing our need to buy.
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>>Unclutter your life and live more simply.
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>>Now we understand more about the eating green living green and saving green. Take
a proactive step to eat healthier and make better environmental choices. Buy local. Reduce
your consumption. Reuse what you can, and recycle whenever possible. As always, please
check the CommonHealth website at www.commonhealth.virginia.gov for more Greener Virginia tips. Thank you.