Author: Nerd

NerdDNA Green Goddess Herb Pesto Recipe

Posted by Nerd on April 12, 2017April 12, 2017

Green Goddess Herb Pesto

Ingredients

1 clove garlic
1 (or 2 optional) anchovy fillet (in oil) or

1/4 tsp of anchovy paste
½ small shallot, chopped (about 1 tablespoon)
1 teaspoon lemon juice
handful chopped fresh Italian parsley
handful chopped kale
2-3 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon
1 tablespoon chopped chives
¼ cup olive oil or avocado oil
sea salt and ground pepper to taste

Directions

Pulse garlic, anchovy, and shallot in food processor until chopped. With the food processor running, add lemon juice, parsley, kale, tarragon and chives.

Very slowly drizzle in oil until kale and herbs get sufficiently chopped and everything is the consistency of a pesto. You may need more or less of the oil depending on how big a “handful” of herbs is to you. You can also turn off the food processor and push herbs down the side of the bowl with a spatula every once in a while.

Season to taste with salt and pepper (You probably won’t need too much salt if you used anchovies.)

Fall in love with this Green Goddess Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Caring for Pets Sustainably

Posted by Nerd on April 11, 2017August 25, 2023

Pets are an expensive responsibility, As a pet owner, you are responsible for their overall wellbeing. Why not solidify this by making sure your pet’s diet and the environment is as healthy as possible? Pets don’t create as much of an environmental challenge as humans. So, it makes more sense to address our own shortcomings first. However, if you really want to make your pet’s life more sustainable, start with food.

Vets generally agree that wet food is healthier for pets. If your budget can handle you might consider buying dehydrated food, which has a lower carbon footprint when shipped. It’s rehydrated by adding water at home. And if you’re really into getting high quality and eco-friendly food for your pet, you can make your own. Unfortunately, it’s time-consuming and expensive.

My favorite place to find a balanced blend of sustainable and healthy food is healthy local pet store chains. The employees are always helpful, and there’s a good selection of brands at a variety of price points. This type of store carries supplies for all common household pets, including birds and small rodents.

Here are some Organic Dry Food Options

Organix Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food, 5.25-Pound

About the product (Pricey)

Real Organic Chicken as the #1 ingredient
Organic Quinoa- a nutrient-rich heritage grain that provides a gluten-free source of dietary fiber
Organic Flaxseed- rich in Omega 3 Fatty Acids that contribute to healthy skin and coat
Certified by Oregon Tilth
Made in the USA with no ingredients from China

Buckley Liberty Freeze Dried Dog Food, Beef, 10 oz

About the product (Pricey)

USE AS A FOOD, TOPPER OR TREAT – Liberty Freeze-Dried can be fed to your pet as it is, or with water to rehydrate a tasty meal for your pup.
MADE IN THE USA – All of our ingredients are 100% sourced and made in the USA. We don’t use any wheat, corn, soy or other types of fillers.
GRAIN FREE – Liberty Freeze-Dried doesn’t have any grains or fillers; only pure raw nutrition from the whole animal with some added nutrition from fresh vegetables and healthy fats.

Puppy Snacks

This company 4Legz by far is my favorite. These sensational snacks are made from certified organic sweet potato puree, certified by the USDA and grown and harvested in the Pacific Northwest. They are packed with vitamins and fiber, these tasty cookies are great for dogs with food sensitivities, and they don’t contain any corn, wheat, salt, or artificial preservatives.

This company also gives back to the community by offering disabled individuals gainful employment opportunities. Price: $8.99

Non-GMO dog cookies made with 100% organic pumpkin puree with all natural and organic human grade ingredients.

We are proud to be one of the first and leading Non-GMO Project Verified choices for your dog.

Freshly baked natural treats made in the USA out of the highest quality wholesome ingredients.

No salt, wheat, corn, animal byproducts, chemicals or artificial preservatives and 7-ounce resealable package. 🙂

If you’ve ever cared for a kitten, you know a balled up piece of newspaper can be just as engrossing as a fancy, ten dollar toy. Cats love boxes. Anything lying around the house. My kitten chases bouncy balls and a laser pointer, and anything tied to a swinging string.

Your cat might chatter at the birds and squirrels outside but keep them indoors. Not only will the pet avoid being hit by cars, getting into fights with other cats, and a variety of nasty diseases, you’ll keep the predatory instincts in check. Cats are reportedly responsible for billions of small mammal and bird deaths each year.

Dogs, similarly, can be entertained without spending much money. Plenty of parks allow canine companions, and there are several hiking trails in the area that do as well. There are also quite a few companies making more sustainable versions of dog toys, in case you want to pick up something more durable for your pet to chew.

Some smaller pets, like hamsters, enjoy playing in an old paper towel or toilet paper tubes.

The stinky part, and the least exciting part of owning a pet. For cleaning up after a dog, some stores and online outlets sell biodegradable doggy bags. In theory, the whole thing degrades in the landfill. Since most landfills are too tightly packed to allow for much biodegradation, I’m a fan of using plastic newspaper bags, tortilla packaging, or anything else that might end up in the trash.

Cat waste is a more serious problem. About 2 million pounds of litter head to landfills each year. Clay litter (the most popular kind) is strip-mined, but it lasts longer and contains smells better than many other options. One alternative is pine pellets, but many cats don’t appreciate the change in texture. Some people toilet train their cats, but mine prefers to use the toilet to drink.

My cat loves Feline Pine Original Litter

Feline Pine Original Litter, 20 Lbs

Any animal could, in theory, have its waste composted – but not any compost, you’ll put on edible plants. Plus, there’s the smell to contend with. Small animals that live in wood shavings, like hamsters, produce less waste and therefore less smell. If you’re comfortable composting, go for it! (But keep it very, very separate from anything going near your food).

Biodegradable Poop Bags

Finally, and most importantly, Spay and neuter your animals. Puppies, kittens, and other baby pets are cute, but there are already too many animals without homes. If we can we should try our best to control the cat and dog population. Go to your local pet store and talk to some experts. When it comes to toys, reuse, reuse, reuse. And, well, waste is difficult. Composting is probably the best option, but it comes with many challenges.

Parkinson’s and other tremor disease culprits

Posted by Nerd on April 11, 2017March 26, 2018

As a disease that currently cannot be cured, prevention of Parkinson’s disease is crucial. People over 60 years of age used to make up the majority of those afflicted, but with increasing lifestyle factor risks like chronic exposure to pesticides and a generally increasing toxic burden, cases are now being reported regularly in people under 50 and even under 40 years of age.

THE PESTICIDE CULPRIT

The risk of Parkinson’s disease clearly increases with exposure to certain environmental toxins, such as pesticides. Pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides are potent toxicants that may cause disruptions or damage to the neurological system, including your brain.

What is perhaps most concerning is that even ambient exposure to pesticides has been found to increase the risk of Parkinson’s disease considerably,¹ and this was further confirmed by new research linking the disease to extremely low-level pesticide exposure.

Parkinson’s disease is still classified as idiopathic, meaning it has no identifiable cause. But one reason it is likely on the rise is due to many environmental toxins that now bombard your body on a daily basis, with pesticide exposure becoming an undeniable risk factor. According to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation

Avoiding pesticide exposure – around your home, in your community, and via the food you eat – is clearly important for reducing your Parkinson’s risk, as is reducing your exposure to environmental toxins of all kinds. Exposure to industrial solvents, including TCE, a common degreasing agent and dry-cleaning chemical, has also been linked to Parkinson’s disease, for instance. So along with avoiding the use of solvents and pesticides in your home and garden, eating organic foods as much as possible will help you avoid unnecessary exposure to these chemicals.

THE MERCURY CULPRIT

Another important and often-overlooked environmental risk factor is “silver” amalgam dental fillings, which actually are more than half mercury. Mercury becomes a biochemical train wreck in your body, causing your cell membranes to leak, and inhibits key enzymes your body needs for energy production and removal of toxins. Mercury toxicity can lead to major inflammation and chronic illnesses such as Parkinson’s disease.

THE FLUORINE CULPRIT

fluoride is a waste of aluminum

The Parkinson’s-like tremors are, likewise, also associated with the toxic substance, Fluorine/Fluoride. It particularly affects the kidneys and promotes low blood pressure. It causes the muscles to become flabby and degenerated. Fluoride destroys our will to live! “Many commercial tubes of toothpaste contain cavity-fighting fluoride. Each one of these tubes contains 1,000 – 2,000 mgs. of fluoride, enough to kill a small child who might eat the whole contents.” (Journal of Pediatrics 1987) People taking tablets containing one-half of one milligram of fluoride per day (the amount found in 1 to 2 pints of fluoridated water) can expect to experience: Black tar-like stools, stiffness, bloody vomit, diarrhea, faintness, nausea and vomiting, shallow breathing, stomach cramps or pain, tremors, unusual excitement, unusual increase in saliva, watery eyes, weakness, constipation, loss of appetite, pain and aching bones, skin rash, and sores in the mouth and on the lips. (US Pharmacopeia Volumes on Drug Information 1983 quotes Hannah Kroeger’s book, God Helps Those Who Help Themselves

THE ALUMINUM CULPRIT

In the Harvard Health Letter, (Oct. 1990, Vol 15, No. 11), studies found that “Aluminum accumulates in lesions in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. It builds up in degenerating nerve fibers (neurotic plaques) and shriveled filaments inside the cells (neurofibrary tangles).

According to Louise Gittleman in How to Stay Young and Health in a Toxic World, the major areas where aluminum accumulates is in the brain, kidneys, and GI tract. And in his book, Fighting Radiation, Steve Schnechter, N.D. not only indicates aluminum’s connection with Alzheimer’s, depression, constipation and Schizophrenia, but says “Like many of the other environmental toxins, aluminum has cumulative effects in the human body – what started out at age fifteen as occasional headaches may by age fifty be Parkinson’s disease.” He adds that people who eat animal foods such as meats, poultry, and dairy are regularly ingesting higher concentrations of aluminum.

THE ARSENIC CULPRIT

Arsenic exposure causes numbness of the limbs and loss of coordination as part of its long list of symptoms. It is found in heavy industrial areas in the air, water, pesticides, and insecticides and is associated with Epilepsy, Arthritis, and Arteriosclerosis. (Arsenic and Your Environment, Dr. Bara Fischer, 1986).

The Environmental Protection Agency limits the amount of arsenic in U.S. public drinking water to 10 parts per billion (ppb). Water that comes from privately owned wells may contain higher levels of arsenic, especially in areas where the groundwater flows over arsenic-rich bedrock, according to Dartmouth University.

No federal limit has been set for the amount of arsenic in foods. Arsenic may found in grains, fruits, and vegetables according to the FDA. Rice is different than other grains — it takes up arsenic more readily from the environment, according to the FDA.

According to Consumer Reports, a 2010 study from the EPA said that vegetables account for the biggest dietary exposure to arsenic, accounting for 24 percent of intake. Fruits and fruit juices follow, with 18 percent, and rice accounts for 17 percent. Both organic and conventionally-grown foods may contain arsenic, according to the FDA. Inorganic arsenic is a known human carcinogen — it is this form of arsenic that is linked with increased risks of cancer and other health effects.

THE LEAD CULPRIT

Pesticides, paint, water and a long list of domestic products commonly contain lead and long exposure to it leads to tremors, twitching of the face muscles, jerking of the limbs, confusion, mania, seizures; a tremendous list of symptoms. The metal affects more than 1.7 million young children. In 1991, lead poisoning was referred to as the most common and socially devastating environmental disease of young children. Even in small amounts, lead poisoning damages children’s brains, slowing their mental capacities and lowering their intelligence level. Note particularly, that it is directly associated with Epilepsy and kidney cancer.

THE CADMIUM CULPRIT

Cadmium, like, is dangerously pervasive in our air, food, and water and is also a cumulative poison that can cause a wide range of toxicity symptoms. A principal source is again, the pesticides. Significant amounts are found in cigarette smoke. Other common sources are smoke from burning of wastes, wood, garbage, etc.; industrial effluents, plastics, fertilizers, auto exhaust, refined foods, coffee, and be forewarned: The first water out of the tap each day, hot tap water, and water from galvanized or black plastic pipes contain cadmium. It is also associated with hypertension (high blood pressure).

THE POLLUTION SOLUTION

In recent years, alternative means of protecting or ridding the body from these toxic poisons has begun to prove a natural means of protecting us from these hazards.

Women History Month – Women in Sustainability (BWIN) : Majora Carter

Posted by Nerd on March 15, 2017March 14, 2017

Majora Carter redefined the field of environmental equality, starting in the South Bronx at the turn of the century. Now she is leading the local economic development movement across the USA.

Carter is an American urban revitalization strategist^[1] and public radio host from the South Bronx area of New York City. Carter founded and led the non-profit environmental justice solutions corporation Sustainable South Bronx^[2] from 2001 onward, before entering the private sector in 2008.

After leaving Sustainable South Bronx, Carter has served as president of a private consulting firm, Majora Carter Group, LLC (MCG). In the June 2010 issue of Fast Company magazine, Majora Carter was listed as one of the 100 Most Creative People in Business. In 2014, B Corporation (certification) recognized MCG as one of the “Best for the World” according to its ranking among other B Corps of similar size.

We are huge believers in sustainability as a key to the long-term health and wellness of Black women, our families, our neighborhoods, and our communities. How we care for, move, and interact with our environment will determine the quality of our lives and our health for the foreseeable future.

Check out one amazing health, wellness, and sustainability “sheroe”, Majora Carter, urban revitalization expert and CEO of the Majora Carter Group who gave an excellent TED Talk about her work and why greening our communities is so important.

Living Sustainable – Team Doin’ Too Much (MockTrialsandTribulations)

Posted by Nerd on March 15, 2017May 15, 2017

I highlighted this podcast because I just found out about it today. I listened and loved it. Then she said a line that made me want to share this with my community.

She said, “I am the self-proclaimed captain of “doing too much”. I completely understood where she was coming from. As a Virgo, I overthink far beyond what I am able to accomplish. Just being a female alone harnessing my inner goddess can throw me off track if I’m not aware of balance. As women, we try to split our interests, I’ve tried to create many brands as well. I’ll start a bunch of projects and never finish, or see any of them through.

She said, “I’ve basically become a Jane of all Trades and master of none, and none of this is Sustainable.”

I thought this was an interesting take on the struggles of living sustainable. Living Sustainable is not just about the earth and environment, but about the longevity of all life on earth.

Listen to Episode 16 below and look out for other episodes. SoundCloud: MockTrialsandTribulations

Black Garlic Powers

Posted by Nerd on March 13, 2017March 13, 2017

Black garlic has long been prized by Asians for its health benefits, but it became widely available in Western markets only a few years ago. Developed in Korea, black garlic has gained popularity among Western foodies for several years now, but it has recently caught the eye of the health-minded due to studies revealing its impressive nutritional properties.

The black bulb is created by fermenting raw garlic through prolonged exposure to heat and humidity, giving it a sweet, mellow flavor and an inky hue. No additives, no preservatives… just pure garlic. Fermentation takes place in a humidity-controlled environment in temperatures of about 140 to 170 degrees F for 30 days. Once out of the heat, the bulbs are then left to oxidize in a clean room for 45 days.This lengthy process causes the garlic cloves to turn black and develop a soft, chewy texture with flavors reminiscent of “balsamic vinegar” and “soy sauce,” with a sweet “prune-like” taste. In addition to the sulfuric compounds that provide garlic with its heart-healthy and anticancer benefits, the fermented cloves are a source of important probiotics. “Fermented foods help stabilize our intestinal flora. When the intestine is in good shape, it strengthens our immune system,” says Bellatti. Black garlic has been increasingly sought-after in high-end cuisine, and it is often used to make sauces, dressings, and dips.

Although the process is consistently described as “fermentation,” it really isn’t that in the strictest sense, as the transformation does not involve microbial processes—specifically, enzymatic breakdown and the Maillard Reaction are responsible for the caramelization of the sugars, dark color and deep, complex flavor profile. As the pearly white cloves slowly transition into their final black appearance, compounds in the fresh garlic transform into a whole new range of compounds. Compared to fresh garlic, black garlic is low in alliin but it is astonishingly high in other antioxidants.

Black garlic was found to have twice the antioxidant levels as fresh—the aging/fermenting process appears to double the antioxidants. Aficionados claim the flavor will impress even the most avid garlic-hater, as the pungency and spiciness is gone

Perhaps this is why Mandarin oil painter Choo Keng Kwang experienced a complete reversal of his psoriasis after just four days of eating half a bulb of black garlic a day—this, after trying countless medically prescribed skin creams that were all complete failures.

Proper Breathing Assists in Longevity

Posted by Nerd on March 12, 2017March 13, 2017

Why is breathing important or even a topic of discussion

Breathing correctly is not only important for living longer, it also keeps you in a good mood and performing at your best. Let us look at the benefits of deep breathing and why you should make it part of your everyday sustainable living.

Breathing Detoxifies and Releases Toxins

Your body is designed to release 70% of its toxins through breathing. If you are not breathing effectively, you are not properly ridding your body of its toxins. Other systems in your body must work overtime which could eventually lead to illness. When you exhale air from your body you release carbon dioxide that has been passed through your bloodstream into your lungs. Carbon dioxide is a natural waste of your body’s metabolism.

Breathing Releases Tension and Brings Clarity

Think how your body feels when you are tense, angry, scared or stressed. It constricts inward. Your muscles get tight and your breathing becomes shallow. When your breathing is shallow you are not getting the amount of oxygen to circulate through your body.

When you take a deep breath you are also stretching muscles in your neck, chest, and stomach. You’re also sending oxygen to those muscles. Pay attention to your breathing, breathe slowly, deeply, and purposefully into your body. Notice any places that are tight and breathe into them. As you relax your body, you may find that the breathing brings clarity and insights to you as well.

Breathing Relieves Pain.

Breathing has a real connection to how you think, feel and experience life.

Let’s examine what happens to your breathing when you anticipate pain?

You probably hold your breath, yet studies show that breathing into your pain helps to ease it.

Breathing improves Circulation

The movements of the diaphragm during the deep breathing exercise massage the stomach, small intestine, liver, and pancreas. The upper movement of the diaphragm massages the heart. When you inhale air your diaphragm descends and your abdomen expands. By this action, you massage vital organs and improve their circulation. Controlled breathing also strengthens and tones your abdominal muscles.

Breathing Strengthens the Immune System

Oxygen travels through your bloodstream by attaching to hemoglobin in red blood cells. This, in turn, enriches your body to metabolize vitamins and nutrients.

Breathing Improves Quality of the Blood

Deep breathing increases blood quality by removing carbon dioxide and increasing oxygen in the blood.

Breathing Improves Posture

Good breathing techniques over a sustained period of time will encourage good posture. In order to take a deep breath, your body needs to be straight. Bad body posture results in incorrect breathing so the process works in a cycle.

Breathing Increases Digestion and Assimilation of food

The more oxygen the stomach receives, the more food it digests efficiently. The digestion is further enhanced by the fact that the food is oxygenated.

Breathing Improves the Nervous System

The brain, spinal cord, and nerves are nourished with oxygen. This improves the health of the whole body since the nervous system communicates to all parts of the body.

Proper Breathing makes the Heart Stronger.

Breathing exercises reduce the workload on the heart in two ways. Firstly, deep breathing leads to more efficient lungs, which means more oxygen, is brought into contact with blood sent to the lungs by the heart. So, the heart doesn’t have to work as hard to deliver oxygen to the tissues. Secondly, deep breathing leads to a greater pressure differential in the lungs, which leads to an increase in the circulation, thus resting the heart a little.

Breathing Strengthen the Lungs

As you breathe deeply the lungs become healthy and powerful, a good insurance against respiratory problems.

Proper Breathing assists in Weight Control

If you are overweight, extra oxygen burns up excess fat more efficiently. If you are underweight, extra oxygen feeds starving tissues and glands.

“If you breathe half a breathe, you’ll only live half a life” – Jintrovert

Visiting Mexico

Posted by Nerd on March 12, 2017March 12, 2017

In my travels to Mexico, I visited the 2 Mexican states Yucatán and the Quintana Roo. Though I’m not done as I have plenty more of the Yucatan and Roo to explore, I’m happy to start where I did.

For starters, you can either rent a car or travel the reliable option that is ADO

ADO: https://www.ado.com.mx/ado2/#/

Car rentals are really cheap, it’s insuring them that becomes expensive. It’s also not the more environment-friendly alternative. When traveling alone on the ride be mindful of gas scams. Always pay attention to the bills given and received, also make sure before getting gas the pump reads 0.00. Of course, an Eco-friendly car is slightly more expensive.

Yucatán, the Mexican state, is known for its Gulf of Mexico beaches and Mayan ruins. Famed Chichén Itzá encompasses a massive pyramid, ball court, and stone temples. Other Mayan sites include Ek Balam, noted for well-preserved sculptures, and Uxmal, with its intricate carved facades. Yucatán’s capital and largest city, Mérida, has a Spanish colonial history reflected in buildings such as 16th-century Mérida Cathedral.

Quintana Roo is a Mexican state on the Yucatán Peninsula. On its Caribbean coast, the town of Tulum offers seaside Mayan ruins, sandy beaches, and undersea caverns. To the northeast, the resort city of Cancún is known for its nightlife, Nichupté Lagoon nature reserve and long beaches with coral reefs. Off Cancún’s coast, the reef-fringed island of Isla Mujeres has nature trails and beachfront restaurants. The area is pretty safe for the most part, police are always patrolling though during my trip they had some issues with a known female cartel.

I traveled in through the popular Cancan airport.

(Spanish: Aeropuerto Internacional de Cancún) (IATA: CUN, ICAO: MMUN)

Cancún International Airport is located in Cancún, Quintana Roo, on the Caribbean coast of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. It is Mexico’s second busiest airport, after Mexico City International Airport, but the biggest for international passengers.

(USD) $1.00 = (Pesos) $20.00

Housing Recommendations:

Mezcal Hostel Rating 7 out of 10

What they offer:

Pool

Towel

Sheet

Free Breakfast

Free Dinner

Free Wifi (In Common Area)

I give this location a 7 out of 10 because though it is the best Hostel in the area of Downtown Cancun, the staff has a very prideful, and cocky demeanor to them. They don’t have the best customer service, and their not too helpful when it comes to spending $$, especially if your native language isn’t Spanish. They don’t really offer cost effective advice when you want to travel independently, they prefer you take taxis instead of giving you bus options as well.

At night they try to pressure you into going to Hotel Zone with few options. The average club starts at 25 – $65. Everything is based on all you can drink which isn’t ideal for a light drinker. Why would I pay $65 if I can only consume two drinks? Besides the amazing and helpful volunteers that work long hours in trade for a free bunk Lucas was the only full-time male staff member that seemed to win everyone over. The female staff outside of the maintenance are pretty friendly, and they all have great smiles.

The cleaning and cooking staff is really a hit or miss, better if you speak Spanish. The cook is very tight with the food rationing and isn’t too friendly unless you’re staying there more than four days. The food overall is a 4 out of 10. If you really on a budget it’s better than eating nothing. The area has great dine-in, take out options, as well as shops to purchase groceries. While I was staying there the pool and kitchen were under renovation. That made for an uncomfortable visit because the pool is a huge reason why people flock there. Waking up to morning construction every day didn’t feel like much of a vacation either. SO though this place is a great value for the money you spend. It’s a great value mainly because it’s in Mexico. There’s no reason for the staff to treat you like they are doing you a favor. I have to assume that’s because the average person doesn’t stay past 3 days and therefore doesn’t have time to catch on.

Day 1 (Cancun)

Hung around the Hostel, met other travelers, got food, and took an Uber to and from Hooters. Uber is super CHEAP, But you must catch it on the main roads.

Av Tulum

That night was a bust because this is when we first found out about the clubbing and open bar situation. We were promised a $35 club that changed to a $65 when a vote of hands was taken. Upon further investigation, I found that we could of went to the $35 club still, it happened to be across the street from the $65 club and right next to the hooters. We ended up playing UNO and dining at Hooters.

Day 1 (Cancun Beach Day)

Every day the Hostel organizes a group trip to the airport on public transportation. it’s about $.50 and the bus line is R1

Just went beaching hung around the area of the Hostel. The Hostel offers an escorted beach trip daily around 12 – 1 pm. So if your solo, it’s a little better to go with the Hostel. (BRING A TOWEL) The easiest way to get to the beach is to take the R1 bus, you can catch it closer to the Hostel, but an easier point of reference would be the ADO Bus station. You want to take the R1 ($0.50) bus to the “almost” the last stop. You should get off at the next stop past the “CANCUN” sign. The beach is beautiful, refreshing, and a great place just to relax. I had a lot of fun spending the day here with the girls. There are food and drink options provided by locals. They are pretty cheap and worth supporting their pockets. The beach was great, met more friends, had a geat time. This day was pretty relaxed as well.

Here I am solo having the time of my life. !!!

The only plans were to head back to the hostel for dinner, and whatever games were on the schedule for evening activities.

The evening turned out a lot of fun, and we all turned out pretty drunk. I do remember buying 7 shots for like $20.00 which was pretty sweet, by the end of the night two I had even more friends.

Day 3 (Brunch and Isla Majures)

Day 4 (Tulum & Playa De Carmen)

Day 5 (Valladolid & Checken-Itzu)

Day 6 (Playa De Carmen)

March 8th A Day Without a Woman (Women’s History Month)

Posted by Nerd on March 8, 2017April 18, 2017

On International Women’s Day, March 8th, women and our allies will act together for equity, justice and the human rights of women and all gender-oppressed people, through a one-day demonstration of economic solidarity.

In the same spirit of love and liberation that inspired the Women’s March, we join together in making March 8th A Day Without a Woman, recognizing the enormous value that women of all backgrounds add to our socio-economic system–while receiving lower wages and experiencing greater inequities, vulnerability to discrimination, sexual harassment, and job insecurity. We recognize that trans and gender nonconforming people face heightened levels of discrimination, social oppression, and political targeting. We believe in gender justice.

Anyone, anywhere, can join by making March 8th A Day Without a Woman, in one or all of the following ways:

Women take the day off, from paid and unpaid labor
Avoid shopping for one day (with exceptions for small, women- and minority-owned businesses).
Wear RED in solidarity with A Day Without A Woman

A Day Without A Woman: New York City

On a #DayWithoutAWoman, March 8th, we will gather in New York City for a show of solidarity and revolutionary love.

Meet us at 12pm at the intersection of 5th Ave & 59th St.

Millennials Are Bringing Back Cloth Diapers

Posted by Nerd on February 18, 2017August 25, 2023

When we say that cloth diapers are making a comeback, it might bring to mind images of soiled rags and safety pins. But these days, there’s a new breed of cloth diaper in town—non-toxic, organic, reusable—and Millennial parents are making these cloth diapers the new norm.

Now that Millennials are becoming parents, they’re putting their own stamp on what it means to be a parent, and it looks like cloth diapers are a part of the package. These new diapers are easy to clean, easy to use and even come in bright and colorful designs.

But what are the big factors that have made Millennial parents rally around this old-fashioned trend from a time gone by?

Environmental Concerns

It goes without saying that disposable diapers are perhaps the waste product of all waste products. The footprint made by their creation, with massive amounts of petroleum-based plastic and wood pulp along with deodorizing chemicals and superabsorbent polymers, would be bad enough for the environment. But on top of that, Americans throw away 18 billion disposable diapers each and every year.

Estimates say that disposable diapers will sit in a landfill for 500 years before decomposing. While reusable cloth diapers require frequent laundering, there’s no question that their environmental impact is far less, particularly when bought from smaller companies that use organic cotton. Local, organic products have a huge appeal among Millennials, which helps to explain the cloth diaper craze.

Price and Convenience

But when it comes to why Millennials are reviving cloth diapers, there’s another huge factor at work: Not only are cloth diapers better for the environment, they cost a lot less money.
The average cost of disposable diapers for one child—for the length of time she is in diapers—is around $2,400 or more. And while individual cloth diapers can cost about $15-$25 dollars each, a pack of 30 is only about $750. Yes, there is more an upfront cost, but this means Millennial parents can save thousands of dollars—in addition to saving on diapers for future children, parents can always use the same diapers again for a second or third child.

Try these out :

Anmababy 4 Pack Adjustable Size Waterproof Washable Pocket Cloth Diapers with 4 Inserts and Wet Bag $18.99

Alva Baby 6pcs Pack Pocket Washable Adjustable Cloth Diaper with 2 Inserts Each $39.18

Baby Cloth Pocket Diapers 7 Pack, 7 Bamboo Inserts, 1 Wet Bag by Nora’s Nursery $59.00

– Healthier Option

Today’s cloth diapers are both easy to wash and easy to change, with hoop and snap closures and adjustable sizing. While it does mean doing more laundry each week, it seems that Millennials are finding cloth diapers to be a more convenient solution for the long haul of childrearing.

The Natural Movement?
In many ways, this move toward cloth diapers is actually rather predictable, when we look at the overall picture of Millennial parents. After all, Millennial parents have re-popularized the profession of midwifery in the United States, with many mothers choosing to give birth either at home or in a birthing center, eschewing the hospital births of their parent’s generation.

Cloth diapering, midwifery, and home births are just one part of the “natural movement” that Millennials are driving, with their preferences for organic food, natural ingredients, and clean labels.

The Bottom Line

There’s no question that cloth diapers are becomingly increasingly popular among Millennial parents, with a variety of amusingly-named diaper production companies such as Spray Pal, Allen’s Naturally, and Smart Bottoms leading the way.

Of course, the growth of a popular new industry always spawns new industries, and for families that don’t have a laundry machine—or just don’t want to put dirty diapers in their laundry machine—they have the option of getting their diapers picked up, washed, and returned by a local diaper service, which uses biodegradable detergents.

With the diaper industry seeing such an unexpected change of direction, who knows what’s coming next?

READ MORE: The GBrief