looking for books!

I plan to begin a new chapter of "Read n' Seed:"


I am looking for some new environmental health books to check out. My past Read n' Seed posts were all about one book called "Newman's Own Guide to a Good Life" which was an interesting and informational guide to living more environmentally friendly. 


Some of the books i have been checking out include "Diet for a New America," "Is Our Food Safe," "Harvest for Hope," "The Gorgeously Green Diet" and "In pursuit of the Common Good." 


As I read them, summaries will be posted under this section of Read 'n Seed.

Read 'n' Seed 6: Final Review of "Newman's Own: Guide to a Good Life"

Newman's Own: Guide to a Good Life was a great general guide for beginning a healthier and more eco-friendly lifestyle. 



This book had many eye-opening chapters; I'd say it was a perfect way for me to get started on a healthier life, just as the title insinuates. I liked that it wasn't particularly too in depth on any specific topic. Of course, each topic got plenty of attention, but it mostly touched base with everyday issues to inform readers of things to look out for in daily living and what you can do to ensure healthier living. Nell, the author, kept with need-to-know facts on a topic that would be just enough to keep you interested and inform you enough to lead you in a direction so you could further research on your own if anything caught your eye. I enjoyed how personable she was with each subject. She always mentioned her own experiences, such as with her own gardening tips and pet tips in each of those sections, as well as her opinions on consumerism that were both interesting and informative. I especially enjoyed some of her analogies that made many of her topics much more understandable for the general reader. Each chapter began with a personal story involving her, or someone she knew, and it always brought the subject into perspective for me. She then would give a section of statistics on the subject, followed by tips for the reader. I really like that she laid it out this way because I could always count on tips at the end of the chapter if I had any questions in the beginning. She never brought up problems that she didn't have any tips on changing which was nice. 


I think one of the most significant things I found was that this book is definitely something that nearly anyone, in any socio-economic stance could read and take tips from. Another significant thing, as I mentioned above, would have to be the personal tips she left at the end of each chapter, I have already started using the pet tips that she gave because I did not realize that my dog can eat many things that I eat safely, and its better for my dog to eat to eat some of my food because a lot of pet food isn't safe!! The third most significant thing I found would have to be her chapter on consumerism and how we need to stop feeding the powerhouse mega stores! Many of them don't care about the community, and take business away from the little guys. I enjoyed a quote she stated about how we should be more willing to pay that 50 cents extra for a safer product from a local place, isn't our health and our community worth it? 


This whole book had priceless information. She puts high value on both personal and environmental health, and her small tips could be followed in small easy steps! It is too bad that we have to be reminded of these things, it means a lot to me that she took the time to write a guide that anyone can use. It is something than that anyone can follow! I would definitely recommend this book, not only because it has valuable information and is an eye opener, it can be followed by anyone! It touches on elements that effect everyone! She shows that you do not have to be rich to go green! Anyone can do it. But we all need reminders, so read this book! 

Read 'n' Seed 4: Third quarter of Newman's Own: Guide to a Good Life

The third quarter of my read 'n seed for Newman's Own Guide to a Good Life, covers chapters 6 and 7 (p.104-128). 

Chapter 6 titled "Shopping," was very pertinent to localization and safety of consumerism. With the holidays just around the corner, I wish I could read this entire chapter to the average American consumer. I feel the need to do a lot of quoting, but I'll stick to one that really stuck out to me. Nell discusses purchasing products that should "matter to you," involving your families health as well as supporting local economy. "When you shift your dollars from a megastore to a mom-and-pop store because the smaller place carries water-soluble paint and decking that isn't loaded with aresenic, you're showing the big boys the way to your heart and you're supporting local economy too. If a company hasn't been a good neighbor--they recklessly pollute the city where they're headquartered, they refuse to recycle, or they won't give their workers a fair shake-- you can withhold your dollars from them until they shape up." I feel like that quote also goes well with my Coca-Cola Share and Voice post when discussing the idea of a megastore being a "poor neighbor."  

I really like how she refers to a ripple effect when you do buy "green" products (meaning environmentally friendly), because you are educating others by example. Some products to watch out for when shopping are Phthalates (chemicals that soften plastic); choose PVC free, especially when shopping for toys that may end up in a childs mouth. Also, when building or remodeling your home, try to avoid VOC's (volitile organic compounds); if you smell them, they are getting into your lungs. Instead, look for environmentally friendly options which are becoming more readily available (oftentimes slightly more expensive, but you have to decide if your health is worth the cost.) 

(pictured below, my puppy Lola)

Chapter 7 titled "pet care,"  wasn't quite as helpful as chapter 6, but there were a few good tips for keeping your pets healthy, but a lot of it is pretty obvious, and some of it doubles as ways for us to keep healthy as well. She does mention that the rule about "no table food" for your pets only really makes sense if you eat a really poor diet (which many Americans do, hence the rule applies). Humans and pets alike should avoid white refined sugar, white refined flour, and candy. Specifically, when it comes to pet food, avoid packages that begin with "beef by products, water, poultry by-products." Pets can have human food so long as its "healthy" (not high in fat, sugar or salt), but specifically shouldn't have chicken or fish bones, citrus, tomatoes, organ meat (unless organic) and bacon.
 Many other tips double as overall safety tips for everyone: fresh water, no cigarette smoke, keep away from poisonous household chemicals, organic is the way to go for food-soaps-repellents-and shampoo. Being conscious about your pets' health is important, it oftentimes goes hand-in-hand with your own health!

Overall, very informative chapters, it's always nice to be able to share what I learn with everyone!

Read 'n' Seed 3: Second quarter of Newman's Own: Guide to a Good Life

The second quarter of my Read'n Seed, for Newman's Own: Guide to a Good Life was very intriguing!
The chapters were 3 (energy and water), 4 (communication) and 5 (money, credit and investing); pages 40-103.


The main topics I read about started with energy and water.  Dirty coal, the greenhouse effect, and the Kyoto Protocol (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC or FCCC) aimed at combating global warming) were all discussed in the energy section. Some suggestions for consumers were to use rechargeable batteries, use compact flourescent lights, and use solar lights outside to name a few. The water section brought up the fact that over 97% of the water on Earth is unavailable for human use. Some tips suggested were to not let water run, use full loads when washing clothes, and just be more conscious in general. I found the list of ten things to do instead of showering twice a day quite funny. For example, repopularize the Macarena or learn the way to San Jose. 
Chapter 4, communication brought up some interesting points such as printing responsibly-- its easy to print everything we need, additionally choosing recycled paper and recycling cartridges. 
Chapter 5 was very informative, especially for college students! Many terms were presented such as screening which is a criterion or set of criterion that helps you determine which companies' stocks will be included in a portfolio and which will be excluded. Additionally, shareholder activism which is when you buy a stock, you become part owner in a company and must be socially responsible. Lastly, community investment, which involves investing in municipal bonds that fund public initiatives. 
The most interesting things I learned this quarter were the reminders about saving energy and water, just being conscious in general. 
Anyways, I definitely found these chapters to be informative and important to address especially when our society is having all kinds of money problems and credit crisis's, but I find the energy and organic food chapters much more interesting. 

Read 'n' Seed 2: First quarter of "Newman's Own Guide to a Good Life"

So far, I have read the rest of chapter one, and finished chapter 2 in Newman's Guide which is pages 14-39. The main topics I have read about at the end of chapter one have been organic food: why we should choose it, statistics, and what to look for when buying organic food. I especially found this last part particularly helpful. She talked about how we need to look for certain labels when buying organic products. These include three terms of certified organics: "100% organic," "organic," and "made with organic ingredients." Additionally, she mentions the importance of buying local produce in season, eating lower on the food chain, avoiding over packaged products, and buying for whole food stores. Several parts of the chapter discuss her opinions on the affects of society; one particular quote I highlighted was after she mentions people complaining about how expensive organics are and it states, "In terms of money, we have to learn how to cook food that is really tasty using vegetables. I don't think we know how to do that, we are so meat dependent. But vegetables and grains are very affordable foods...you pay for your health, and I want to give my money directly to the farmer." Like she suggests, when we pay for foods that have been over processed and shipped they are less healthy but cheaper, therefore you are paying for the depletion of our natural resources, and sacrificing your health. I think we need more information in public schools teaching health and more information in general on why eating organic foods and buying from local farms is so important! Chapter 2 was less interesting to me, but it still had some good information as well as helpful tips, such as how we can help the environment by keeping with the speed limit to save on fuel, not stomping on the gas and speeding off, taking care of our cars, carpool as much as possible, take the bus when you can, and try to incorporate an eco friendly car into your life.

  check it out!

Read 'n Seed: Newman's Own: Guide to a Good Life

I have chosen to read two different books, but the book I will focus on for my Read 'n Seed is called Newman's Own: Guide to a Good Life. The link provides a website in which you can see details about the book as well as purchase this book or shop for other environmentally friendly products. Amazon provides a rating of the book, as well as a way in which you can view the chapters of the book for you to explore. Additionally, more specific information and a more in depth review of the guide can be found here. I chose this book because I feel I can use it as a personal guide to help me take steps in becoming healthier and more environmentally friendly. The first chapter I read is simply called "food." This chapter has so far been a reality check. I have tried incorporating organic foods into my diet in the past, but after reading this chapter, I now see even more importance to this goal. How many of us actually think about how everyday foods are delivered thousands of miles, packaged, processed, over processed some more, and the distributed with loads of plastic and chemicals. This not only hurts the environment, its slowly poisoning us and our families when we do not take that extra time to cook a fresh meal and spend a little more money on organic food. Another big problem with not using organic food is GMO's ! (a more precise definition by following the link). These are genetically modified organisms...which are a huge concern, but the have laid low until recently; they are largely unregulated, untested, unlabeled, and unannounced. I found the author's list of America's top contaminated fruits and veggies to be very beneficial. Topping the charts was strawberries and bell peppers, which in a way makes sense to me because when I grow strawberries they NEVER get as big as the ones in the store.  There are 227 pages in this book, and 9 chapters. I will finish the first chapter and move into the 2nd chapter for the first quarter, 2nd quarter will be 3rd, 4th and 5th chapters, 3rd quarter will be 6th and 7th chapters, and 4th quarter will be 8th and 9th chapters.  The other book I have purchased is called The Organic Food Guide. This one is more of a personal guide that I can use to make smart decisions when grocery shopping; it talks about how to "shop smarter, and eat healthier." If time prevails when I finish my first book, I would like to discuss what I learn in this 2nd book. In the pictures below I would like to compare a normal sized strawberry, like one I would find in my garden, compared to those I buy at the grocery store with GMO's. 
normal sized strawberry  at right  GMO strawberry below
(very large strawberry) just kidding, but you get the idea :)

Welcome to Danielle's Discoveries

I am Danielle Wall, an art and community health student, and I am all about discovering the beauty in our natural surroundings. So far I have highlighted my interests in art and nature, and I would like to tie that into my blog and doing my part in preserving our natural environment, and helping others become healthier, well informed decision makers!



Thanks for checking out my blog, I hope you enjoy!

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