Newly Released Report Says Two Out Of Three Food Cans Test Positive for BPA. How To Protect Yourself

New Report Says Two Out of Three Food Cans Tested Have Toxic BPA in the Linings

A new report released today by six nonprofit organizations that tested nearly 200 food can linings for the toxic chemical, Bisphenol-A (BPA) just verified what many of us knew already, but the results are still sobering. The report found that two out of three cans tested have the chemical, Bisphenol-A (BPA) in the lining.

I have written many times about BPA and its impacts on consumer health but as a reminder, BPA is an endocrine-disrupting chemical that negatively impacts our hormonal systems. Think about how many people you know that have had a hard time getting pregnant or how many of your friends and family have had breast cancer and this hormone disrupting BPA becomes not a friend to consumers but an enemy to us all and perhaps even our future survival.

Think I am exaggerating? Read On... 

Top Green Blogs for Treehuggers and Climate Change Warriors!

Me telling Target to Mind The Store!

Top Green Blogs for Treehuggers and Climate Change Warriors!

Honored to be included in the ICT green blogger awards and had to share. Lots of times I get recognized along with many of my friends for being a green blogger and it is always an honor. This time I wanted to share because the list of top green blogs is comprehensive and I saw some new faces as well. You can check out the list HERE.

Ford Motors Hits The Runway at Hong Kong Fashion Week with Sustainable Design

Ford on the Runway

 Ford’s sustainable seat fabrics make a stylish debut at Hong Kong Fashion Week

This week, Ford Motor Company made its debut on the Hong Kong Fashion Week runway as part of The EcoChic Design Award 2015/16 grand finale show. Five outfits featured in the show were made entirely from the up-cycling of Ford’s sustainable seat fabrics, which are made from recycled plastic bottles. 

Jeff White, Energy Efficiency Manager at Ford Motor Company, Explains Ford's Global Energy Use Reduction Numbers

Ford Motors Continues Sustainability Drive with Global Energy Use Reduction

Many car companies are working toward sustainability and Ford Motors is no different. What does make their efforts distinctly different is that their drive toward sustainability comes from a love of the environment directly from the top - from Bill Ford. In fact, decades ago when it was time for Bill Ford to take over the helm of the company, he made a conscious decision to stick with Ford instead of move into work in the environmental field. The green runs deep and wide at Ford and consumers benefit.

I recently had the opportunity to interview Jeff White, Energy efficiency Manager at Ford Motor Company, about their newest energy reduction numbers.

Are We Too Hard On Micky D's and Other Big Businesses?

Is It Time to Lighten Up on Big Biz? 

I wrote a piece a long time ago about how I was not happy with McDonald's and it got over 90 Likes on Facebook. The piece called out Micky D's for their unhealthy U.S. menu offerings compared to their European options. On the flip side, I also wrote a piece about how McDonald's had partnered with the Humane Society to lay out a plan for their suppliers to end gestational stall use of their pork, this followed up an announcement that they would be ending the use of "pink slime" in their burgers, and the piece received only 4 Likes on Facebook.

Target Hears Our Voices and Leads the Way to Safer Products on Store Shelves

Me outside of Target before delivering the SCHF coalition letter and Hazardous 100+ list

Target Takes Big First Steps for Consumers...Expect More. Get More
Who would have thought it would be Target who would shine a light on what has been an otherwise horrid week? This past week has been one of the toughest of my life as I said goodbye to one of my dearest friends and I thought nothing could make me cry anymore but Target is making me shed the happiest of tears.

Ford's Sustainable Road Trip: How America's Best Selling Truck is Built Ford Tough and Green

How Ford Serves Up America’s Best-Selling Truck: Tough with a Side of Eco-Friendly

I have seen firsthand the reliability of Ford trucks. I have owned three Ford Expeditions and one Explorer and have enjoyed the fact that we can always count on them. It is crazy how they rarely break down or have problems and they just go forever.

I have also seen firsthand Ford's commitment to the environment in talking to Bill Ford and John Viera, Ford global director of sustainability and vehicle environmental matters, as well as through touring their plants, and it is hard not to admire their green efforts.

Ford continues to work toward a greener future and in the process, they are pulling consumers along with them on a their sustainable road trip.

How Google and The Internet Will Save The World's Energy Crisis

Google's Green Dilemma

If Google seems worried, it's not just about the fact that webmasters, along with everyday Internet users, are ready to revolt and ditch Google for Bing or Marissa Mayer's Yahoo.  Webmasters are on the verge of revolt against Google because the latest Penguin 2.0 update is the biggest joke since Al Gore created the Internet. Everyday Internet users are abandoning ship because Google search literally leaves them scratching their heads with the results they receive more often than they find themselves happily surfing the web to places only their imagination could have taken them 20 years ago. Can you say, "Seriously these are the results you are giving me G?"

But now comes word that the Internet is set to explode with users in the next 5 to 10 years and along with that explosion, comes massive energy use needs. 

Mumbai Here I Come! Honored to Serve on World Brand Congress 2013 Sustainable Brand Advisory Board

Heading to Mumbai? Excited to Serve on World Brand Congress 2013 Advisory Board

I am extremely honored to have been asked to serve in the 2013 World Brand Congress sustainable brand Advisory board!  The event will be one of the largest gatherings of the brainiest business leaders in the world and they want me to join them.  Pretty darn cool.  The event will take place in October in Mumbai, India and although I am not sure I am up for the 30 hour plane ride, although I am still considering it, I will serve as a nominating council member for the 2013 Global Brand Excellence Awards. 

To find out some of the movers and shakers I will be serving with, head to Factory Direct Promos for the entire story.  You did know I am their CMO right?  

Connect with Shane on Google+

P.S.- People always ask me where I get my organic food and personal care products and I love to tell them about The Green PolkaDot Box! Backed by the Organic Consumer's Association and EnvironmentalBooty.com, you can easily buy NonGMO organic groceries, including Harvest Fresh Organic produce, at wholesale pricing online.  It's like a Sam's club but focused on products for green, healthy living! You can even shop by dietary restrictions like gluten free, vegan or diabetic and it all comes right to your front door. Enjoy!

Exclusive: Ford's John Viera on The Sustainable Car of The Future - Interview with Global Director of Sustainability and Vehicle Environmental Matters at Ford Motor Company

John Viera...Green Rock Star

It's hard for me to look at John Viera with anything other than stars in my eyes and that is saying a lot coming from this +Michigan State University Spartan.  Even though he holds both a Bachelor's of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Master's in Business Administration from one of my school's greatest rivals, the  +University of Michigan, to me John is a still a full on, green living rock star. 

Not only is John Viera sharp as a tack and exceedingly competent and effective in his role as Global Director, Sustainability and Vehicle Environmental Matters at +Ford Motor Company, he is just a heck of a nice guy.   

How To Be Green? 10 Tips To Save Money, Conserve Energy and Stay Healthy This Winter

I cannot believe it myself but winter is quickly approaching and now is the time to get ready to enjoy the winter season.  Here are 10 tips for consumers to save money, conserve energy and stay healthy this winter. 

1. Maintain your heating equipment to lower utility bills -  Heating and cooling costs account for about $1,000 -- nearly half of a home's total annual energy bill which can be a big hit to the average family.  Keep those costs low by maintaining the efficiency of your home's heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system.  Dirt and neglect can impact the efficiency of your HVAC system and are some of the top causes of heating system failure. Schedule an HVAC checkup with a licensed HVAC contractor to make sure your system is operating at peak performance. Another great tip is to check your system’s air filter every month and change it when it's dirty or at a minimum, every three months. A dirty filter will slow down air flow and make the system work harder to keep you warm or cool — wasting energy.

Cars Made of Trees? Ford Investigates Plastic Composites Made from Tree Fibers

The Use of Tree Fibers Called Cellulose in Plastic Composites in Ford's Automotive Applications Could Significantly Reduce CO2 Emissions and Weight

Ford is working with Weyerhaeuser – one of the largest forest products companies in the world – to find a more sustainable plastic composite material for future Ford vehicle components.  As I learned when visiting Ford Motors in Dearborn earlier this year, Ford already uses a variety of sustainable materials throughout its lineup, including soybean-based cushions and head restraints that save about 5 million pounds of petroleum annually.

Ford Motors and SHFT.com Partner to Inspire Us All: Interview with Independent Film Producer and SHFT.com Co-Founder, Peter Glatzer

SHFT.com and Ford Motor Company have released the first 6 films of their brand new documentary series, The Big SHFT: 10 Innovators Changing Our World and they are nothing if not inspiring.

Looking for Green Inspiration?  Get to Know Independent Film Producer and SHFT.com Co-Founder, Peter Glatzer and His New Documentary Series, The Big SHFT: 10 Innovators Changing Our World

Although Peter Glatzer is as relaxed and laid back as a pet rock, he is immensely more interesting and certainly much more inspiring.  I had the pleasure of speaking with Peter recently about his thoughts on the past, present and future of sustainability and his SHFT.com partnership with actor and filmmaker Adrian Grenier and Ford Motors.

SHFT.com and Ford Motor Company have released the first 6 films of their brand new documentary series, The Big SHFT: 10 Innovators Changing Our World and they are nothing if not inspiring. The films feature eco-entrepreneurs and innovative leaders in their fields, including Ford Motor Company Executive Chairman, Bill Ford; TerraCycle’s CEO, Tom Szaky; renowned organic chef and author, Alice Waters; and Rebuild the Dream’s co-founder, Van Jones.

The Big SHFT is a unique series of digital shorts featuring cutting-edge innovators making sustainable advances in technology from industries such as sustainable fashion and transport to advanced upcycling and smart plastics. The films stem from a partnership announced last year between SHFT.com and Ford to inspire people to make smarter environmental decisions through film, design, art, transportation and culture.

Prepare to Be Eco-Inspired

EB: First, can you tell my readers what SHFT stands for?  Is it an acronym?

Wordless Wednesday - Go Further with Ford...Live Infographic and Bill Ford's Green Story

Wordless Wednesday is a day for me to share an image from my green living life with you along with just a few words...or so

Went to Ford Field Today and it is quite a nice facility with lots of green features like reused bricks.

Go Green Get Fit Environmental Booty Friday Update

Presented by Planet Shoes

Are YOU with Us Yet in the Go Green Get Fit Summer Challenge?
Okay so by now you should totally be getting the picture that we are participating in something pretty big here.  If you aren't sure what the EcoMom Alliance Sustain Your Self™ Go Green Get Fit Challenge is, get caught up and come back and finish reading the update - I have some workout homework for you.  Otherwise, get ready for the weekly roundup of Go Green Get Fit Challenge news.

How Ford Reduced Energy Use by 22% - Infographic

Ford Releases Annual Sustainability Report and Announces 22% Per Vehicle Reduction in Energy Use

Last week Ford released its annual go green Sustainability Report and impressed consumers and industry alike with the fact that it has managed to reduce the amount of energy required to produce each vehicle in its manufacturing facilities by a whopping 22% over the last six years.  Incredibly, Ford also announced their plans to reduce usage by another 25% on a per-vehicle basis by 2016.

My Family's #TeamENERGYSTAR Video

I just finished taking part in the #TeamENERGYSTAR Twitter party and it was really inspiring.  There were people and companies tweeting from all over the country about the ways they save energy.  As a part of the initiative, families can make a video and upload it to the Team ENERGY STAR website.

We fooled around this afternoon with the video camera and here is our video...

Vincent (family friend 15), Hayden-Jay (6), Reece-Callie (15) and Lex (12)

I really hope you can take time out of your very busy life to join us, take the pledge and get involved.  It is well worth the effort and a really fun family activity.  :)

P.S.- People always ask me where I get my food and personal care products and I love to tell them about The Green PolkaDot Box! Backed by the Organic Consumer's Association and EnvironmentalBooty.com, you can easily buy NonGMO organic groceries, including Harvest Fresh Organic produce, at wholesale pricing online.  It's like a Sam's club but focused on products for green, healthy living! You can even shop by dietary restrictions like gluten free, vegan or diabetic and it all comes right to your front door. Check it out and I bet you will fall in love too.

Live a Little Idea #12 - Release Your Inner Fitness Goddess and Join Our Go Green Get Fit Challenge to Sustain Your Self™

I know she is in there so get ready to release your inner fitness goddess and join our Go Green Get Fit Challenge and

Sustain Your Self™

So y'all know I am a fitness goddess.  Okay, so, well at least you know I love to work out. I personally like to think of myself as a fitness goddess.  And damn it why can't I?  At 44 I am 124 pounds and as fit as I possibly can be to help me sustain myself.  Sure I need a boob job because my three daughters sucked the life right out of them, or at least what life there was in them, but I have yet to be able to bring myself to do that.  And sure my ass seems to be heading south just a tee tiny tad bit more than it was 20 years ago but I could give a sh@t.  Ya' wanna know why?

Brooklyn Startup Bitponics Launches the Next Great, Green Innovation for Urban Gardening in the Cloud

Bitponics Personal Gardening Assistant System Automates Hydroponic Growing to Improve and Simplify Urban Gardening for the Masses

Who would have thought that two computer geeks transplanted from California to Brooklyn, New York would come together to create the next great, green innovation for urban gardening in the cloud?  Well that is exactly what happened when Amit Kumar teamed up with Michael Zick Doherty to create Bitponics, a base station monitoring device and an online dashboard and website that work synergistically in the cloud to simplify hydroponic gardening for everyone.

Amit (left) has been a software engineer for 7 years and a plant lover for 20. He's delivered code for companies including Nike, Verizon, and Barnes & Noble.  Michael (right) is a recent graduate of ITP,  and is currently active in several urban agriculture initiatives in NYC and teaches physical computing, software programming, and alternative methods for growing in urban environments. 
Watch Amit and Michael explain Bitponics

Plug in and logon to Bitponics, the first ever integrated cloud based hydroponic automation growing system. Designed to be an add-on to any existing hydroponics system, Bitponics will simplify and automate the urban home garden by managing the plants' needs, incorporating a crowdsourced online database for best practices and sending even the most inexperienced, urban hydroponics gardener, friendly and convenient reminders.

Just How Sustainable is the 2013 Ford Fusion?

Okay folks so I have seen and fallen in love with the totally redesigned 2013 Ford Fusion not only because it is absolutely beautiful, but because it is an eco-friendly, green living, sustainable ride like no other.  When Ford’s all-new Fusion hits America’s roads this fall, it will carry some unexpected green materials beneath its aerodynamically fuel-efficient body: Denim material equivalent to slightly more than two average-sized pairs of blue jeans, 38.9 clear plastic 16-ounce recycled bottles and about 31,250 soybeans.  Ford is committed to protecting not only it's customers but our environment as well.