Hello all! I can honestly say I can't believe it has been more than half a year since I have last posted a blog on here. Well you can thank the Discovery Channel for re-showing the documentary "Hot Planet" several nights ago because it made me realize how much I've been slacking on this site and my blogs!

 Well, it is probably not new news for many of you, but I found it quite interesting while watching "Hot Planet" the probability of creating synthetic trees to collect large amounts of carbon dioxide in our air. Now how much CO2 are we talking here?

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I haven't been on here in some time...mainly because I've been extremely busy organizing clean ups in my community, trying to get more people aware that even though April 22nd is officially Earth Day, everyday we should care and be aware! It was quite upsetting when I cleaned up a local creek a mile or so from my house and developed 10-30 gallon garbage bags full of waste. I hope all of you are doing your best to spread the knowledge of saving wildlife habitats and plant ecosystems this Earth Day season and everyday as well!

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When I was a Target this past weekend reloading on Method products I came across an unknown frozen organic food section that magically appeared out of nowhere! Well actually...it HAS been there, just hidden from me! But it just made me happy to find another major retailer supplying organic food products...and common names we know like Annie's, Amy's, Kashi, etc. Most of you probably know that, but when I'm coming home late from night classes at culinary school, it's great to have an all-organic ''quick meal." ---even though I prefer making it on my own!

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Just in case some of you didn't know about this show, because I just found it on t.v. last night, Greenovate is on the Discovery Home channel...can't recall the exact channel on the dish...but check it out. Last night the completely changed an energy sucking home and changed it to a state-of-the-art green home. Pretty awesome, thought you all would appreciate!

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On treehugger.com, they said Volkswagen is coming out this fall with a 70 mpg diesel-electric hybrid. First of all, I had NO idea VW would ever come out with a fuel efficient car such as this. Secondly, it will only emit 84 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer, where the Toyota Prius Hybrid emits 104. The U.S. market, especially California, was the focus while creating this vehicle because they predict we will be their highest in sales and interest for purchasing this specific model. I'm pretty excited about this car to come out at the Geneva Auto Show and debut in the U.S.

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So I was searching Alaskan eco-vacations and up came this site where you stay in a structure called a yurt. I have seen them before but never knew what they were...basically a major upgrade from a tent. I found them quite interesting because they reduce the impact on the environment by greatly reducing the amounts of energy and water flowing through the establishment, like a house typically would. I'm very interested in learning more about them so if anyone else has come across them or knows more let me know! I would love to invest in one someday!

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I attended the Chicago Auto Show today, not that I'm a big fan of sporty, shiny, gas-guzzling vehicle...I was looking at all the new versions of hybrids out there. So far, I still think the Toyota Prius is by far the best hybrid with the best deal, but there are still a number of up and coming hybrids that look reliable.

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So I just logged on and for the past ten minutes I have encountered 4 blogs that have absolutely nothing to do with what this site is all about. I seriously have no problem sharing facts to help others get a start on greener living...just c'mon now.. stop using this site as a place to meet your lover or network...it's not myspace or facebook...so just stop, most of us would appreciate those who are actually serious about this. Thanks.

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As an aspiring culinary student, I hope to one day own my own green restaurant...but until then I'm always looking up current businesses in the industry that are doing their part to contribute to a greener lifestyle to better our lives and our planet. If you live in the Chicagoland area or find yourself visiting sometime soon and need some help finding certified green restaurants, here's a short list to get you started! Bon appetit!

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If you live in the Chicagoland area, please let me know if you're interested in creating a cleanup group on Earth Day (Wed. Apr. 22nd). I know there will probably be a handful of great opportunities through local villages and towns, but I want to go to the 'forgotten' lands of Chicago and its surrounding counties! I'm hoping if there are enough people interested I can get a where and what we would be doing. Thanks and hope to hear from you all!

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Tonight on the National Geographic Channel there is a special documentary based on the book written by Mark Lynas, Six Degrees: Our Future on a Hotter Planet. On their website, http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/sixdegrees/index.html, you can explore what can happen to our world in just six degrees Celcius. I encourage all of you, if you can access the channel, to watch or at least check out the website so you are further educated on the issue. 

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While channel surfing through the television this morning, I came across a commercial that informed me on a National Geographic documentary on how much devastation can occur to our world in just six degrees celcius. I please urge all of you to check out the following website if you haven't already because it is loaded with much information to further educate the world on global warming and how REAL it will get if we keep ignoring the signs right in front of us!

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So today my family and I have officially booked our spring break for the end of March. We decided to drive because we haven't taken a road trip to Florida in a long time. It was difficult choosing between flying or driving because they both contribute to tons of carbon emissions, but we figured that whenever we stopped for gas or to stretch, we would pick up garbage and clean up. We also will pack smart and light to limit the weight in the car, which can save some gas mileage.

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Even though I am only 20 years of age, I have lived in Chicago my whole life. I've seen winters so blistering cold, I feel like sporting the windbreaker when we top 45...like today....the middle of January, and it's the mid-40's. About two weeks ago, it reached almost 70! That's warmer than early April, around my birthday. In fact, it usually flurries around that time, and I'm shocked when it ever does peak in the high 60's!

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