Brad Blog

China bag ban saves 40 billion bags

China's ban on thin, single-use plastic bags meant that 40 billion fewer bags were distributed in the country June of 2008, when the ban was implemented. The numbers came from a recently-released survey by the China Chain Store and Franchise Association, which said the reduction of plastic bags distributed amounted to a 66-percent reduction of the number of sacks.

China prohibits the production and distribution of bags under 0.025 millimeters thick and mandates charging for other thicker or reusable types of bags.

According to Friends of Nature, a non-governmental Chinese environmental organization, daily bag use in China has dropped from one billion to between 200 and 300 million.

From: Plastics Recycling Update

Mushrooms

Mushrooms are wonderful ingredients and not just for eating. We’ve included them in our lotions, creams and hair repair. I visited our certified organic mushroom supplier and saw how they grow many of their varieties. They have over 30 years experience growing such mushrooms as Alba and Brown Clamshells, Trumpet Royale and Velvet Pioppini. They start with making their own media ingredients, the stuff that the mushrooms grow on, fill it into a bottle and sterilize the whole thing. Each bottle is then inoculated with the mushroom spore and sent off to its own room where the environment is controlled very carefully optimizing it's growth. Then, after several days the magic starts to happen. After my tour and chat, they gave me a box for dinner that night - yummy.

Esalen

Beautiful Esalen Institute in Big Sur, CA (http://www.esalen.org/) is worth a visit from anywhere in the world. I spent a week there taking a Tibetan Buddhist Meditation workshop with Daniel P. Brown. Dan is an amazing teacher and if you desire to really learn how to meditate, he's your man - tender, direct, knowledgeable, confident, experienced, passionate; WOW!

Over the past 10+ years I've struggled with how to integrate being a buddhist into my daily life. As a bonus, he helped clarify this for me. I'm not on the path anymore to be a buddhist, but Buddha like. It's a fine difference however meaningful and clear for me. Thanks Dan. 

       

Jojoba Oil

Our organic jojoba oil is a fabulous vegetable oil - it's light, absorbent and feels great on the skin. I visited our supplier and saw their fields and manufacturing facility. The jojoba shrub grows well in the dessert where the seeds will dry on the plant, then fall to the ground and get gathered up. They will then get cleaned, crushed and filtered into an clear and odorless oil. We use this oil in our body oil, lotions and creams.

 

Hinoki Essential Oil

Here are some photos from my trip to our Hinoki essential oil supplier in Japan. It's a wonderful, family run operation very passionate in what they do. You may be familiar with Hinoki from Japanese soaking tubs - which are made with Hinoki wood. Hinoki is known for its relaxing and respiratory properties, is a species of white cedar and has a clean, light woody and, . . . , relaxing smell. Great for the bath.

Austin City Limits

Rock & Recycle
“While at the Festival, do your part to help recycle and help us reduce what ends up as landfill. Throw your recyclables and trash in the right containers. Throughout the park you'll find recycling containers and we have a team of volunteers devoted to the cause.”

http://www.aclfestival.com/greening.aspx


   

Breast Cancer Walk

September 06, 2008

San Francisco, CA

The Breast Cancer 3-Day® is a 60-mile walk for women and men who want to make a personal difference in the fight against breast cancer. Participants walk 60 miles in three days and help raise millions of dollars for breast cancer research and patient support programs.

Big Bear Zoo

Big Bear Zoo

A wonderful zoo with a wonderful mission.

“A forest fire swept through the San Bernardino Mountains in 1959. Many injured animals were rescued, and a makeshift facility was established for their care. Some wildlife was returned to their habitat after rehabilitation, but for the others release was not possible. Those animals were the foundation of Moonridge Animal Park.”

http://www.moonridgezoo.org/

Moss Landing

August, 2008
Moss Landing, CA

“Elkhorn Slough (pronounced "slew") harbors the largest tract of tidal salt marsh in California outside of San Francisco Bay. This ecologicaltreasure at the center of the Monterey Bay coastline provides much-needed habitat for hundreds of species of plants and animals, including more than 340 species of birds.”

http://www.elkhornslough.org/

Yosemite, CA

August, 2008
Mono Lake, CA
Yosemite National Park, CA

“Located in California's spectacular Eastern Sierra, Mono Lake is an oasis in the dry Great Basin and a vital habitat for millions of migratory and nesting birds. For 30 years the Mono Lake Committee has been working to protect Mono Lake from destruction, to heal the damage done in the Mono Basin, and to educate the public about the natural environment and wise water use.”
www.monolake.org/

“Yosemite National Park, one of the first wilderness parks in the United States, is best known for its waterfalls, but within its nearly 1,200 square miles, you can find deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, a vast wilderness area, and much more.”
http://www.nps.gov/yose