As we move forward in the twenty-first century, more people than ever are concerned about preserving the environment and our natural resources. This concern has been carried over into the world of business, which means that an increasing number of businesses are going green in a variety of ways.

Running a green business is similar to running a traditional business, though there are a few additional perks and pitfalls for eco-friendly owners. Here are a few secrets to make your green business even more successful.

1. Look for government incentives for green businesses.

Whatever your motives for running a green business, the U.S. government wants to sweeten the deal by offering a variety of incentives for businesses to use renewable and more efficient energy.

The Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) offers a complete list of incentives available to business owners. Here are a few highlights:

• Corporate Tax Incentives: If your business invests in eligible renewable or energy-efficient equipment, you may be eligible for special tax deductions, credits, and exemptions. The exact incentives vary by state, and some states have a minimum requirement before the incentive can be applied.
• Green Building Incentives: Chances are you have heard of LEED certification, but other organizations can also issue green building certifications that qualify your business’s building for a government incentive. Typically this incentive applies to proposed buildings and, if approved, the permit fees are greatly reduced or even waived. Green businesses that are erecting new buildings should capitalize on their environmental efforts with this incentive.
• Sales Tax Incentives: Businesses that purchase a renewable energy system or other energy-efficient goods can have the sales tax from such a purchase waived or refunded. If your business is thinking about getting a new energy system, then don’t overlook this valuable opportunity.

2. Choose green power for your business.

During the twentieth century, businesses had little choice but to use the energy supplied by the local electricity company. Now, however, most businesses can choose to get their energy from a green utility company.

Depending on your business’s location, it could be feasible to switch your power supply from traditional sources to more eco-friendly sources–such as a green electricity company.

You can look on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s website to locate a green power center near you, after which you have to take a few simple steps such as identifying your annual power usage and signing a Green Power Partnership agreement.

Once your business is identified as a Green Power Partner, the EPA will provide you with tools, expert advice, and certifiable credibility for the green nature of your business.

3. Apply for grants and loans for your green business.

Depending on your business’s product, you may qualify for a government grant. Listed below are several types of industry-specific grants that may apply to your green business.

• Energy Development: Whether your business is working on developing renewable energy or more efficient energy production methods, there are grants available to support your mission and minimize your costs. The Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency both offer grants for these types of businesses.
• Real Estate: Developers who improve polluted real estate qualify for Brownfields Grants for their eco-friendly efforts. These grants can also be applied toward assessing polluted property, cleaning it up, and training staff on environmental matters.
• Pest Management: Traditional pesticides wreak havoc on the environment, which is why the Environmental Protection Agency partnered with PestWise to promote Integrated Pest Management programs. Businesses and schools that focus on developing more eco-friendly approaches to pest management qualify for grants to support their work.

4. Use caution when advertising your eco-friendly ways.

While the previous tips are potential perks for green businesses, one pitfall to avoid is falsely advertising the eco-friendliness of your business. Since many consumers tend to prefer doing business with a green partner, it is important that you do not falsely advertise your business, lest you draw the wrath of consumers or law enforcement.

If your advertising is false or misleading, consumers can take actions such as submitting a complaint to the Federal Trade Commission or filing a chargeback against your business. The FTC can start an investigation on or even issue sanctions against your business, which will hurt your reputation. Consumer chargebacks can put your credit processing privileges in jeopardy and hurt your business’s bank account as well.

The bottom line for green businesses is that there are many more potential benefits than costs associated with doing business in a more eco-friendly way.

If you currently run a green business, tell us some of your insider secrets—we’d love to hear them!

 Sources:

• Environmental Grants & Loans, by U.S. Small Business Administration
• Advertising FAQ’s: A Guide for Small Business, by Federal Trade Commission
• What is a Chargeback?, by Chargebacks911
• Guides Against Bait Advertising, by U.S. Government Publishing Office

What is the largest, most comfortable, yet most wasteful thing in your possession? If you answered “my home,” you’re probably correct. Every year, countless people waste tons of cash paying for staggeringly high energy bills. It’s not only financially, wasteful, it’s also a big ecological problem. All the unneeded power your house draws means higher bills for you and a greater carbon footprint for your home. If you can find ways to make your home more energy efficient, you save money and help to save the planet as well! Today we’ll help you fight wasteful spending with five ways to make your home more energy efficient.

Programmable Thermostats

Installing a programmable thermostat is a great way to see some fast reductions in your energy bills, helping to ensure your home is the most comfortable when you’re there to enjoy it. Relatively inexpensive and easy to install, you can program your thermostat to keep your home the coolest overnight as you sleep and allow the AC a break while you’re away from home at work. It’s a fantastic, simple change that can help you save 5-15% a year on heating. While you could also simply reset your thermostat manually, a programmable thermostat saves you the trouble of remembering to constantly adjust it!

Insulation

Insulating your home to retain heat in the winter may seem like a no-brainer, but that same insulation can help to contain your home’s cool air during the summer as well. It’s important to make sure that your ceilings, attic, and walls have proper insulation for all seasons, not just one. Your windows are another important spot to check, as an older window with damage to the frame can become an energy vampire as the temperature controlled air escapes outside. Provided you can fill the gaps and cracks of your home, you can be sure that your inside temperature will stay stable no matter what it’s like outside.

Energy Efficient Lights

Check the lighting in your home. If you still have traditional incandescent bulbs, it’s probably time to go shopping. Replacing your bulbs with light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs will cost more upfront, but the energy savings more than cover the initial price difference. They are that a great way to reduce your energy consumption while producing fewer burned out bulbs as trash. While LED bulbs do not contain mercury, many do contain lead and other contaminants. Check to see if your local hardware stores like Lowe’s or Home Depot will recycle them for free.

Low-Flow Fixtures

Cutting back on your water consumption is a great way to lower your bills, but nobody wants to stop showering. Fortunately, if you install low-flow fixtures throughout your house, you can save water without sacrificing your hygiene. The EPA states that a family of four can roughly save 20,000 gallons of water annually by simply swapping standard 4.5-gallon-per-minute showerheads with 2.5-gallon-per-minute ones. The lower volumes of low-flow fixtures allow will help guarantee that you’re able to increase your home’s water efficiency while seeing significant reductions in your water bill.

Solar Panels

Arguably the best way to combine energy efficiency with financial savings, installing solar panels can help protect both your pocketbook and the environment. Homes with solar panels can reduce or eliminate their reliance on traditional coal-burning power plants, the nation’s top carbon dioxide emitters, while also lowering their energy costs with cheap, clean, and renewable energy. You might also be pleasantly surprised by the price of residential solar panels, with great financing options and tax breaks available. Out of everything we’ve covered, solar power can have the greatest positive impact on both your personal finances and the health of our planet.

Revamping your home’s energy efficiency is one of the quickest and easiest ways to save money. Best of all, the improvements that you make will actively help to minimize your homes contribution to greenhouse gasses. It’s always a good feeling to save money, but recognizing that you’re also saving the Earth is an even better reward. Whether you look for small, simple changes like programmable thermostats, or large, impactful changes such as solar power, there are tons of ways to make your home more energy and financially efficient. With so many options, we hope this list has given you an idea of where to start on your energy-saving adventure!

We all know our safety—and that of our environment—is constantly under attack. Sometimes these attacks come from very unique, seemingly innocent situations. For example, foreclosed properties could be bad for your health—and the future of our environment.

What Is a Zombie Foreclosure?

Any time property owners fall behind on loan payments, they run the risk of entering into foreclosure. This is most common among homeowners—but commercial properties are at risk too.

The foreclosure process is very lengthy, time consuming, and filled with legalese. It is easy for a property owner to feel overwhelmed, discouraged, and pessimistic. Assuming the bank will take over their property no matter what they do, many of these homeowners pack up and move away.

However, for one reason or another, the bank doesn’t acquire ownership. Technically, the property owner is still in possession of the title—even though they’ve moved on. These abandoned properties in a state of ownership limbo are called zombie properties (or zombie foreclosures).

Why Do Zombie Foreclosures Happen?

There are various reasons why a bank might cancel the foreclosure process.

The most common cause of zombie proprieties is the location. These foreclosure homes are in low-income areas and the bank isn’t excited to obtain responsibility of a property in such a neighborhood.

Other times, squatters might take over the property or it falls into severe disrepair. In these situations, the effort to obtain ownership is more trouble than it’s worth.

The cost of foreclosing on the property might be more than the property is worth or more than what is owed to the bank. In these cases, the bank wouldn’t waste the money to complete the process. Similarly, the bank might not choose to proceed if the institution already has an excess of foreclosed homes in its inventory.

Zombie Properties are More Common than You Think

At one point, the number of zombie properties had soared above 300,000. While the number of abandoned properties has come down, experts still report one in five homes has been given up as a lost cause.

Some states have started to get the zombie property problem under control; but as recently as June 2014, half of the states in the U.S. had seen an increase in the number of abandoned homes.

This is especially true in states with the lengthiest foreclosure process: Florida, Illinois, New York, and New Jersey.

The Widespread Effects of Zombie Foreclosures

Abandoned properties quickly become a public nuisance. Studies show that a block with a vacant property has:

• More than 3 times as many drug calls to police
• Almost 2 times as many theft calls

Another study conducted in Philadelphia (a city that spends nearly $2 million each year to clean vacant lots) said any home within 150 feet of an abandoned property loses more than $7,000 in value.

Besides the damage these homes do to our wallets, they also have a terrifying effect on our health and safety. Abandoned buildings have pests, rodents, falling rubble, and sharp, rusty objects.

Plus, the risk of fire increases with zombie properties. Each year in the US, there are more than 12,000 air-polluting fires in vacant buildings which causes more than $73 million in damage.

But most importantly, these abandoned properties are wreaking havoc on our environment. Mold, standing water, and lethal chemicals are just a few of the things we have to worry about.

Homes aren’t the only buildings being vacated. Many commercial properties are left unattended, too. Many of them are classified as “brownfields,” buildings that once housed dangerous chemicals in massive quantities. Known carcinogens like lead, mercury, asbestos, petroleum, and PCBs are still present. These uncontained chemicals can seep into the drinking water. They are blown around during fires. They are quietly destroying our depleting natural resources.

The Solution

RealtyTrac offers two solutions for the zombie property problem.

In reality, the solution will depend on the property and the surrounding area. No matter which method professionals use to rectify the problem, we all need to consider how management of these properties will affect our environment.

Do you have experience with a zombie property? Did you live in close proximity to one? How did it affect your life, home, and health?

Sources:

Abandoned buildings still present environmental hazards – The Day

Florida’s Standing in the Midyear Foreclosure Report – Ziegler Law Office

How abandoned buildings could make you sick

Vacant Properties: The True Costs to Communities by National Vacant Properties Campaign

Zombie Foreclosures – Nolo

Zombie Foreclosures Still A Lingering Legacy of the Housing Crisis – RealtyTrac

“Shine bright like a diamond” – Quite definitely, Rihanna wasn’t talking about her skin here! Oily skin is a condition many individuals like me are weighed down by. From pimples to blackheads, oily skin can be the sole cause of many skin irritants. A lot of my friends, who are blessed with good skin, wonder why I have such an elaborate skin care regime. Little do they realize my plight! Over many years that I have struggled to overcome this problem, I have tried numerous products and quick fixes. It is important to know that oil is good for your skin; the key is to create the right balance.  Here are few elixirs that have helped maintain my skin’s optimal oil content.

Cleansing

As a ground rule, those with oily skin must cleanse their face two times a day using a gentle, fragrance-free, pH balanced cleanser. Because oily skin is so prone to attracting dirt, (resulting in clogged pores and acne), this step is particularly crucial. Ensure the cleanser you use is mild and doesn’t deprive your skin of required oils and moisture. Splash your face with warm or cold water, never hot!

Here’s what I also use to cleanse my face:

Gram Flour, Milk, and Turmeric Paste

This therapeutic paste is extremely mild. The antibacterial properties of turmeric control the breakout of acne and pimples. It also helps regulate the production of sebum. Milk gently moisturizes and nourishes the skin, while gram flour removes the buildup of excess oil and grime.

You Will Need:

• 2 tablespoons of gram flour
• 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder
• 3/4 cup of milk

Directions:

Mix all the contents in a cup until the paste becomes smooth. Apply the paste evenly across your face and leave on for 5 minutes. Cleanse your face with lukewarm or cold water.

Exfoliating

One of the most important and possibly the most ignored steps of a skin-care regimen for oily skin is exfoliation.  Exfoliation helps remove dirt buildup and clears dry and dead skin cells on the surface, making skin less oily.

Here’s one you should try at home:

Sugar, Baking Soda, and Honey Scrub

These kitchen essentials can also work as great exfoliating agents. Sugar helps remove dead skin without hurting or irritating the skin. The antimicrobial and antibacterial properties of honey are effective in keeping acne at bay. Baking soda helps to dry out existing acne and reduces the visibility of acne scars.

You Will Need:

• 1 teaspoon of sugar
• 1 teaspoon of baking soda
• 1/4 cup of water
• 1 teaspoon of honey

Directions:

Combine sugar and baking soda in a bowl and add water. Stir the mixture and add honey. Mix all the ingredients well and apply the scrub on your face. Wash after 2 minutes with cold water.

Toning

Another essential step in oily skin care is toning as it removes excess oils, unclogs pores, and clears dirt and dead skin cells that may stay on even after cleansing. A good toner also helps the skin absorb other skincare applications, better. Let the freshness soak in with this invigorating toner:

Peppermint Toner

The cooling properties of menthol in peppermint reduce acne inflammation and the secretion of excess oil from sebaceous glands.

You Will Need:

• 1 cup of peppermint leaves

• Water

Directions:

Boil the peppermint leaves in water and let it cool down for 30 minutes. Strain the liquid and dab the natural toner on your problem areas with a cotton pad.

Sun Protection and Moisturizing

It’s a myth that moisturizers make oily skin oilier. On the contrary, they help restore the moisture your skin loses while cleansing and toning. If you are worried that moisturizing will give your face the much dreadful shine, opt for a light, oil-free variant.

Here’s a light and effective moisturizer recipe you should try:

Aloe-Grapeseed Moisturizer

When you already have an oil factory on your face, you may be averse to adding to the sheen. Grapeseed oil however, can help regulate the production of your skin’s natural oils and retain essential moisture. It is also rich in antioxidants and vitamin C that keep the skin glowing! Aloe vera gel helps unclog pores and removes dead skin cells.

You Will Need:

• 3 tablespoons aloe vera gel
• 1 tablespoon grapeseed oil

Directions:

Mix the ingredients well in a bowl. You can apply the moisturizer on your face as well as your body. Store it in a clean container for future use.

Hydration

Drinking 8-10 glasses of water in a day helps flush out toxins and keeps your skin well hydrated. During hot weather, the body requires higher fluid intake. Drinking plenty water can lower the amount of sebum secreted by the glands and reduce the oil your skin produces. If plain water is too mainstream for your liking, add some flavor with lemon, mint, or delicious berries. 

There are plenty factors that play a role in oily skin – genetics, weather conditions, erratic lifestyles, or the use of products that don’t suit you. If you are worried about the impact make-up and beauty products can have on your skin, switch to water-based, oil-free and skin friendly alternatives. Consume a healthy diet and include high amounts of fiber and leafy greens in your meals. Stay miles away from fried and processed foods. It is imperative to follow a proper skin care procedure and use only products that are right for you. What works on a combination skin may not necessarily work for oily skin; you wouldn’t want to take chances that result in an eruption of acne, would you?

 Further Reading:

• Healthy Skin
• Get Naturally Gorgeous Skin with These 4 Home Remedies
• Natural Remedies for Acne

Sources:

• Use Mild Cleansers To Not Deprive Your Skins Of Essential Oils And Moisture – Medline Plus
• Simple Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Oily Skin – StyleCraze
• Fight Oily Skin Now – Medline Plus

The Justice Department will no longer have the funds to raid medical marijuana establishments.

Not long ago, it seemed the movement to legalize marijuana was never going to gain traction. The federal government was eager to override any state law that legalized its use, for any reason. It seemed the only push behind legalization was the positive press for marijuana’s role in treatment of glaucoma and its use to treat nausea caused by chemotherapy. And that was not enough to keep the feds from pushing back as they closed down medical marijuana operations across California.

As the years have gone by, stories continue to emerge about the healing properties of cannabis oil. It is said to heal many conditions (migraines, seizures, persistent pain, nausea, lack of appetite, etc.), but its primary claim to fame is its ability to heal cancer – skin cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, brain cancer. Just take a quick look at the Internet and read the stories.

• Mike Cutler, 63, cured of liver cancer. (Pain disappeared after 3 day’s use).
• Michelle Aldrich, stage 3 lung cancer. Shrunk tumor by 50% in 4 months and had the rest surgically removed. No sign of cancer.
• Andy Ashcraft, dying from pleural mesothelioma, now recovered.
• Baby with an inoperable brain tumor, terminal. Completely cured.

The bipartisan Rohrabacher-Farr medical marijuana amendment was included in the omnibus spending bill. The purpose of the amendment is to stop the Justice Department from overriding state medical marijuana laws. It states:

“None of the funds made available in this Act to the Department of Justice may be used…to prevent such States from implementing their own State laws that authorize the use, distribution, possession, or cultivation of medical marijuana.”

It also… drumroll please…will protect industrial hemp cultivation through the Agricultural Act of 2014.

Medical marijuana laws now exist in 20 states and the fight continues in the states that have not yet passed sane legislation. Relieving the pressure from the federal government should help.

Is it possible we have voted for some rational, logical, reasonable legislators?

Further Reading:

• Marijuana Laws by State

Sources:

• Spending Bill Will Fully Protect Medical Marijuana From The Feds – The Daily Caller
• Federal War On Medical Cannabis May Have Just Ended, Thanks To Decades Of Hard Work – Reset.me

The holidays are supposed to be a time of joy, a time for families to come together, a time of celebration and fun. For far too many, the holidays are anything but fun. They are a time of overwork, stress, emotional pain, financial difficulty, weight gain, sleep deprivation, and all around misery.

Somewhere along the way we forgot the number one gift of adulthood: adults get to decide what to do and when to do it. Isn’t that what we yearned for throughout childhood?

Yes, this right is mitigated by the needs of others, especially children. But needs are one thing; desires are another. Too often, as adults, we make decisions based on the desires of others – what they want, not what they need. And when we do that, we give no consideration to our own wants and needs.

Before you fall into the holiday trap, sit down and decide what you want to do this year.

• Do you want to spend the holiday away with extended family?
• Do you want to go on vacation?
• Do you want to stay home?
• Do you want to invite company?
• Do you want to cook or eat out?
• How much do you want to spend on gifts?

If you have a partner, have your partner do the same. Compare lists. If your lists do not align, this is where you compromise.

Our parents often want all of their kids home for the holidays. Once we marry or commit ourselves to a partner, this tradition won’t work for us if both sets of parents have the same expectations. Scrambling from one family dinner to the other can make Christmas a dreaded holiday. Do you alternate each year? Choose one in-law over the other? Why not check in with your brothers and sisters and see if any of them are feeling the same way?

Here is the big question… Is it time to start your own tradition?

For many, these extended family obligations are at the root of our holiday stress. For others, the exact opposite is true. Being alone through the holidays – not having family, can be painful and isolating.

Again, you are in change. What do you want to do?

If you have no plans for Christmas, consider volunteering you time to a worthy cause. Not only will you help others, you’ll help yourself.

If depression is an issue for you, don’t let the holidays exacerbate your condition. You may benefit from having a B complex on hand; pop a few when the stress feels overwhelming. Keep Candida at bay with lots of garlic, raw vegetables, and supplements that help balance the intestines. Don’t wait; exercise like you already started your New Year’s resolutions.

The two most important steps you can take from a physical standpoint is to balance your hormones and balance your inner eco-system. Also, check out the first few sources for effective natural remedies for depression.

Recommended Supplements:

• Basic B Complex – Thorne Research
• Lavender Essential Oil – Wise Woman Herbals
• Piper methysticum (kava) – Wise Woman Herbals
• American Ginseng – Gaia Herbs
• Melaton-5 – Thorne Research
• Adrenal Health – Gaia Herbs

Further Reading:

• The Power of Our Hormones and How To Balance Them
• How to Kill Candida and Balance Your Inner Ecosystem
• 15 Home Remedies For Depression
• How I overcame Depression naturally
• I’m Depressed
• How Candida Leads to Depression

We are quickly approaching the New Year, the time when we all take stock of the year before and vow to change or improve. For the vast majority of us, New Year’s resolutions include some version of eating healthier or eating less. For a week or two, we just might give it a try. But old habits die hard, and soon we slip back into the usual routine. I believe there are good reasons new eating habits don’t stick. We don’t feel better; we just feel deprived. And new routines are usually too time consuming.

Make It Quick, Easy, and Life Changing

If you were to make one dietary change this year–just one—this one could change your life. Make a resolution to eat raw, fresh, organic produce each day. Your goal is to make raw produce 80% of your diet. For the majority, this will be a radical change, but it doesn’t have to be a difficult one.

Once a week, buy all the necessary veggies to make an incredible salad. Make one big batch every few days, and eat a big salad at least once a day (but know that the health benefits are greater if you make each and every salad fresh).

This is not the usual, wimpy salad. This salad is an adventure and the most nutritious salad you will ever eat. It is so good, you’ll never get tired of it. That said, you can always change it up. Just be sure you have a very large variety of veggies in your salad.

The Perfect Salad

This is your base:

• Spinach
• Field greens
• Red cabbage
• Collard greens (cut in fine strips)
• Kale
• Swiss chard
• Collard greens
• Beet Greens (they spoil fast, so eat these within a few days)

Forget iceberg lettuce. From now on, your “lettuce” should consist of at least five of the aforementioned leafy vegetables. Then you top it with shredded root vegetables.

These are your shreds:

• Beet root
• Carrots
• Daikon radish
• Artichoke root
• Zucchini
• Yellow squash

Zucchini and squash don’t last as long as the root veggies once they’re shredded, so take that into consideration when making them in advance.

Toppings:

• Cilantro
• Red onions
• Leeks or green onions
• Cucumber
• Garlic
• Turmeric
• Pepper (or dried, ground up, non GMO papaya seeds)
• Sunflower seeds (and/or chia seeds, walnuts, whatever you like)
• Pomegranate seeds
• Cranberries

I also like to add soft-boiled eggs and raisins and then top it off with a mix of balsamic vinaigrette, apple cider vinegar, and either flax seed oil or an omega 3 oil blend. Mix it up well to get the seasonings and dressing over all of the vegetables. I also used to add sheep feta cheese and chicken or steak, too. If you’ve got a meat eating friend who’s health you’re trying to turn around, and they balk at the idea of salads, then throw in a nice sheep feta and some meat, and they’ll love it.

Eating one salad a day plus several servings of raw fruit each day is a habit that is easy to include in your daily life if you prepare one or two big batches of salad a week. You will feel so much better, so quickly, you will not want to go back to your old habit of eating a sandwich and chips, fast food, or a frozen entree for lunch. If you are detoxifying, or dealing with illness and wish to incorporate these salads, be sure to make them fresh each time.

Of course, whenever possible, buy organic produce. Get to know your farmer’s markets if you have any near. And from now on, always have a salad in the fridge waiting for you. You’ll start to crave them in no time, as other habits, the not so healthy ones, begin to lessen their hold on you. The transformation is amazing. More than anything else, in my experience, these salads have been the precursor to a much healthier and disease free life for so many people. Seriously. These salads are that powerful. Put your health in your own hands.

Check out 80% Raw Food Diet for a salad dressing recipe that is to die for! And if you’re ready for step two, drink a gallon of cranberry, stevia lemonade a day (recipe here). And let us know if you’ve got some salad recipes or tips that you can share with us.

Further Reading:

• 80% Raw Food Diet
• Inexpensive, Easy Detox – The One Gallon Challenge
• Urban Homesteader Produces 6,000 lbs of Organic Food on 1/10th Acre
• Organic vs. Local