You Are What You Eat

1
You Are What You Eat Investing in yourself and
the environment

• What exactly is Organic?
• Many people are unaware what exactly organic
  means. It is also very easy to confuse terms like
  Organic and All Natural.
• Organic food is a method of raising crops and
  livestock without the use of synthetic
  fertilizers, pesticides, genetic engineering,
  growth hormones, irradiation or antibiotics.
• All Natural food is food that does not contain
  any additives, such as preservatives or
  artificial coloring.

• What makes Organic Farming different from
  Conventional?
• Becoming an organic farmer takes a minimum of 3
  years to become certified. This process requires
  the farmers to keep meticulous records on what
  they do, and be free from all prohibited
  chemicals.(4)
• Look for on products to ensure that
  they meet USDA standards.
• Organic food production uses materials and
  practices that enhance the balance of natural
  systems, and integrate the parts of the farm into
  an ecological whole. (1)
• Organic farmers use methods that minimize
  pollution from air, soil, and water. (1)
• Conventional farming uses synthetic fertilizers,
  and pesticides to produce high yields of crop and
  a higher environmental impact. (3)
• Organic Farming has been in practice for the past
  10,000 years, conventional has only been used for
  the past 75 (3)

• Where to buy organic?
• Almost any grocery store now offers some sort of
  organic food selection ie. (Meijer, Walmart,
  Kroger, etc)
• Some local specialty stores(5)
• Common Grounds Natural Food Store
• 516 N Main St, Bloomington 829-2621  
• Naturally Yours Grocery
• 4700 N University, Peoria, IL [phone] 

SOURCES 1.) http//www.meijerhealthyliving.com/home 3.)
4)www.organic-growers.com 5) www.organicstoreloca
tor.com
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Finally, something that is good for your wallet
is also good for the earth!
How Much Money Are You Currently Losing?
Fluorescent vs. Incandescent Lighting1
Fluorescent bulbs can outlast up to 12
incandescent or halogen bulbs.1 The key
difference between Fluorescents and Incandescents
is how efficient they are.
-Lighting accounts for about 25 percent of
American electricity consumption. -Standard
incandescent lights are 90 inefficient. -Easily
available alternatives can save money and energy.
-Though CFLs cost more at the outset, over the
life of the bulb they will save you money.
How do they work?3 Incandescent light bulb -10
of the energy used creates the light, while the
other 90 is wasted heat. -This makes the bulb
extremely hot to touch and unsafe. Fluorescent
light bulb -is a chemical reaction within the
glass bulb/tube. -CFLs create the same amount
of light, but generate a lot less heat, about 70
percent less.
Safety Issues2 -Mercury is a toxic metal
associated with contamination of water, sand,
fish, and food supplies, and that can lead to
adverse health affects. -A compact fluorescent
lamp generally contains less than 4 mg of
mercury, while power plants will typically emit
about 10 mg of mercury into the atmosphere in
order to generate the electricity needed for an
incandescent light bulb. -The benefit is that
fluorescent lighting will help put less mercury
in our environment, helping to create a safer
world for our children.
Sources 1) U.S. Department of Energy, Energy
Information Administration, URL
http//www.eia.doe.gov/ 2) U.S. Environmental
protection agency, URL http//www.nema.org/lampre
cycle/epafactsheet-cfl.pdf 3) Energy Star, URL
http//www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/promotions/c
hange_light/downloads/classroom_activity_6_8.pdf
3
The Dos and Don'ts of Fertilizer Use
How fertilizers harm the environment

You can have a green lawn without killing wildlife

• Watering your lawn after you fertilize causes the
  fertilizer to run into your storm drain.3
• After the fertilizer enters the storm drain it
  travels into streams, lakes and ground water.1
• When the fertilizer gets into the lake or stream
  it helps algae grow.2
• The algae depletes oxygen in the water killing
  wildlife.1

• Always read the instructions on the fertilizer
  package so you dont over fertilize.2
• Dont fertilize when it looks like it is going to
  rain.3
• Dont over water your lawn after fertilizing.2
• Dont fertilize your lawn more than four times a
  year.1
• Get your soil tested to find out the type and how
  much fertilizer to use.3
• Slow Release Fertilizers
• Slow release fertilizers effectiveness is spread
  over time and is less likely to drain away.4
• Popular slow release fertilizers
• Greenview Slow release nitrogen fertilizer
• Scotts turf builder lawn fertilizer
• Merrifield premium lawn food

Citations

• University of Minnesota Extension Service from
  www.extension.umn.edu
• TruGreen Chem Lab from www.trugreen.com
• University of Illinois extension
• www.urbanext.uiuc.edu
• 4. Virginia Cooperative Extension
• www.ext.vt.edu

4
Eat Better, Buy Local

• By buying at the local farmers markets you are
  supporting the local economy. That money will go
  back into your community.
• The money going back into your community will
  help build a healthy local economy.
• Produce sold in supermarkets travels an average
  of 1500 miles before it is consumed. 1
• 20 miles is the average distance traveled by the
  local farmers selling at the market. 1
• By buying local you are helping decrease
  greenhouse gas emissions. 1

Support Your Community
Save Fossil Fuels, Buy Local!
Healthy You

• All information in table was collected from
  Kroger supermarket
• Sources
• 1.Full Circle Farm Benefits of Joining a CSA
  Program 12 Oct. 2006 www.fullcirclefarm.com.
• 2.The Kroger Co. Ohio Chamber of Commerce. 9
  Oct. 2006
  .http//www.ohiochamber.com?MemberServices/spotlig
  htKroger.asp.
• 3.The Taste of Home Grown Tinkers Gardens. 27
  Sept. 2006 www.tinkersgardens.com/vegetables/.
  (vegetable picture)
• 4.Kroger. 26 Sept. 2006.

5

• Milky Spore (1,3)
• By applying the milky spore, you put in place a
  protective blanket on your yard. The grubs
  swallow the spores in their normal pattern of
  feeding.
• After being swallowed the milky spore disease
  begins to cripple the grub, and within the next 7
  to 21 days the grub will die. Upon decomposing
  the grub will release billions of new spores.
• Milky Spore has been known to last from 10-20
  years, reapplying every few years.
• Harmless to humans and pets

Trying to Avoid Common Chemical Pesticides?
(4,5) Ortho Grub B Gon Bayer
Advanced Scotts Grubex Ortho Grub
Killer
Common Chemical
Ingredients (4,6) Carbaryl
Permethrin -Carcinogen -Endocrine
toxicant -Blood toxicant -Reproductive
toxicant -Neurotoxicant -Liver
toxicant -GI Toxicant
-Carcinogen Imidacloprid
Chloripyrifos -Related to Nicotine
-Symptoms Nausea -Symptoms Apathy
and dizziness and labored breathing -High
Exposure Death -High Exposure Thyroid Lesions,
respiratory paralysis, and death
Non-Toxic Grub Control
Protect your lawn and your family

• Nematodes (1, 2)
• Nematodes search through soil to find any insect
  larvae they can, using their sense of a
  temperature increase or the release of methane
  gas.
• The infective juvenile nematodes enter the larvae
  and then they release a symbiotic bacteria that
  within days, kills the host.
• The nematodes then feed on the dead host tissue
  and bacteria while the whole time reproducing
  until the pure numbers drive them to another
  host.
• Reapply every 3-6 weeks for optimal results
• Harmless to humans and pets

Cost Comparisons (5) Milky Spore 7-12/1000
sq. ft. Nematodes 7-15/1,000 sq. ft. Scotts
Grubex 4/1,000 sq. ft. Bayer Advanced 4/1,000
sq. ft. With Volume Discount (1 acre) Milky
Spore 6-9/1,000 sq. ft. Nematodes 7-9/1,000
sq. ft.
References (1) www.homeharvest.com, (2)
www.dirtwords.net, (3) www.usda.gov (4)
www.scorecard.org, (5) www.bizrate.com, (6)
www.ohioonline.osu.edu
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Saving Money and the Environment...Geothermal
How much will it cost? Initial installation
higher than traditional system, but the system
will pay for itself in
utilities savings within 5-10 years in
utility savings.4 Is it efficient? Geothermal is
rated 2.5 4 times more efficient than
traditional combustion systems.2 Is it
dependable? EPA states geothermal has the lowest
lifetime maintenance cost of all available
systems.5
Traditional vs Geothermal
Traditional Heating and Cooling Cost Market
based, consumer has no control. 2,4 Source
Combustion of natural gas on site, or electrical
with off-site combustion at coal-fired plant.
2,4 Maintenance High annual inspections for
leaks and filter changes. 4 Keep in mind
Ameren has announced plans to raise electric
rates by 55. 6
Geothermal Cost Savings from reduced
utilities use pays for system within 5-10
years. After that, its like money earned.
4 Source Solar heat held within soil under
home. 2,4 Maintenance Geothermal has lowest
lifetime maintenance cost of all available
systems. 5 Keep in mind There are federal
tax credits available for installation costs and
many local utilities offer incentives. See lists
provided.1,3
References
4.Geoexchange. How It Works. Retrieved September,
2006, from http//www.geoexchange.org/about/how.ht
m
3.Internal Revenue Service. Notice 2006-26
Credit for Nonbusiness Energy Policy.www.irs.gov/n
ewsroom
2.United States Department of Energy. Energy
Efficiency and Renewable Energies.
www1.eere.energy.gov/geothermal
1.United States Department of Housing and Urban
Development. Energy Efficient Mortgages
www.hud.gov/geothermal.
6.Ameren Illinois Utilities. Media Releases.
Ameren Announces Impact of Future Supply Costs.
www.ameren.about
5.United StatesEnvironmental Protection Agency.
Energy Star Program. www.energystar.gov
7
Housing that could cut your energy cost by up to
40
Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) Housing can be
safer for your family1
ICF construction can save you money1
? 4x more fire resistant than wood framed and
least likely for a fire to spread. ? 9x more
durable against strong winds such as those from
a tornado ? 3x more sound resistant on blocking
out the sounds outside
? The initial cost of an ICF House is 1.00-4.00
more per square feet than a wood framed house ?
An ICF house can save you up to an average of 44
for heating and 32 for cooling per year ? ICF
construction reduces cold spots, providing a more
even temperature through out the house.
Housing that is environmentally friendly2,3
? Approximately 8.5 trees are saved from each ICF
house built ? Traditional wood homes generate 5
to 10 waste while ICF homes generate only 1 to
2, therefore creating less fill for landfills ?
If 12 of new homes built were ICF houses
Greenhouse gas could be reduced by 7 to 11
megatons or the emissions of 1.4 million cars
every year
Before exterior finishes
Sources 1) Nudura Corporation
www.nudura.com 2) FCI Design and
Construction www.fciconstruction.com 3) Concrete
Homes www.concrete-home.com/environment.php
ICF homes can accommodate all the popular
exterior finishes
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• Companies that produce Flex Fuel Vehicles
  (FFVs)(1)
• Daimler Chrysler
• Ford
• General Motors
• Isuzu
• Mazda
• Mercedes
• Mercury
• Nissan
• To determine if your vehicle is an FFV, check
  the inside of your car's fuel filler door for an
  identification sticker or consult your owners
  manual.

• Incentives
• Illinois Alternate Fuels Rebate Program provides
  a 450 fuel rebate per vehicle for every 3 years
  used (Reference House Bill 931, 2005 and 415
  Illinois Compiled Statutes 120/30)(6)
• Illinois Complied Statutes states that the buyer
  of a new E85 vehicle will receive a 500 tax
  credit for 3 years(6)
• Reduces the demand for oil imported from the
  Middle East, while supporting the U.S.
  agricultural economy
• While FFVs get 20-30 fewer miles per gallon than
  gas-only vehicles, the price of E85 is usually
  substantially lower than gasoline(5)

Help Your Country and Your Environment Go E85!
E85 fuel is a blend of 85 ethanol and 15
gasoline. E85 is an alternative fuel for flexible
fuel vehicles(3)

• Health/Environmental Benefits
• Reduces Greenhouse gas emissions and ozone
  pollution(2)
• More biodegradable than pure gasoline(4)
• Renewable source made from starch found in corn
  and other starch byproducts(4)
• Production of ethanol is energy efficient because
  it provides 25 more energy than is used to grow
  corn, harvest it, and distill it into ethanol (5)

Local E85 Stations (6)

• Sources
• National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition
  www.e85fuel.com
• American Lung Association www.lungusa.org
• Illinois Corn www.ilcorn.org
• GM www.gm.com/company/onlygm/livegreengoyellow
• US Dept of Energy ww.eere.energy.gov/afdc/e85tool
  kit/e85_fuel.html
• www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/infrastructur/locator.htm
  l