December is upon us, which means the year is quickly coming to an end. While earlier holidays are probably still top priority, thoughts of New Year’s Eve are likely in the back of your mind. You’ve spent the year trying to live more consciously, doing your best to lower your impact on the environment. And since you’re throwing a party this year, you plan to continue that trend and hopefully inspire some of your friends to do the same. An eco-friendly party will provide a healthy start to the new year for both you and the Earth.

Ditch paper invitations and use social networking or services like Evite to send out electronic invitations to guests. Sending invites electronically will save paper and trees, as well as the cost of postage. Plus, most sites will send out reminder emails and help you to keep track of invitees. If you prefer to send out paper invites, be conscious of selecting recycled paper and printing materials.

Image courtesy of Joostje (Flickr)

If you do not have enough dishes, utensils, linens, and stemware, ask friends and family members if you can borrow some for your party. There are also companies that rent those items out for a fee. If you’d rather not deal with all the after-party dishes, avoid plastic cutlery, cups, and plates even though they may seem tempting. There are many recycled and recyclable options to consider instead. Biodegradable corn starch or bamboo will easily break down in a landfill after about a month.

When it comes to decorations, it is best to keep things simple. Try using items you already have around the house. You might be surprised at what items you can find while looking. You can also ask friends and family members if they might have items you can borrow. Sites like Craigslist and Freecycle are great places to look for items you can repurpose or reuse. Another great idea to consider is potted plants as table centerpieces, which can double as party favors for guests. Use ribbons and wrapping paper left over from Christmas to add an extra holiday touch. Create edible centerpieces from skewered fruit cut in different shapes. Or fill various jars and vases with herb or flower clippings from your garden.

If you haven’t already, make sure you switch your light bulbs to energy efficient ones. Skip twinkle lights and opt for soy-based candles or small LED lights with rechargeable batteries instead. Before your party guests arrive, turn down your thermostat to save energy and reduce your power bill. A large group of people mingling will generate plenty of heat to make everyone feel comfortable, especially if dancing is involved.

Image courtesy of photographerpandora (Flickr)

Since the party will most likely be taking place in the evening, there’s no need to serve a full meal. For the menu, do your best to go organic. Avoid prepackaged processed foods to cut down on waste and provide more nutritious and delicious fare for guests. Visit your local farmer’s market or natural/organic grocery store to find simple and tasty finger foods. If you’re serving chocolates and/or coffee, choose Fair Trade organic options. You can even find organic wines and champagne to toast with when the ball drops at midnight.

Whether or not you have games to play at your party will depend entirely on your anticipated guest list. But all adults let their inner kid out with some silly games from their childhood. Set up Toss Across and Rockem’ Sockem’ Robots and let the games begin. Another great thing to do on New Year’s Eve is a white elephant gift exchange (also known as Yankee Swap) where players can ‘steal’ gifts from other guests.
Some party hosts like to give out favors for every party.

After all the alcohol is gone, a thoughtful and inexpensive gift to give guests is a reusable water bottle filled with tap water and Emergen-C or other electrolyte supplement. (Guests will thank you in the morning.) Small candles, potted plants, handcrafted or baked goodies, or jars of local, organic honey also make great gifts to bring in the New Year.

If you have tips of your own, please share them in the comments section below; have a happy, hippie New Year!

Image courtesy of AForestFrolic (Flickr)

Olivia

Olivia Nicholas is a busy mom and writer. A freelance writer for Storkie, she is always happy to share her experiences with others through her writing.

A Very Hippie New Year is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

Winter is on its way. Temperatures are dropping. No matter how hard you curl your toes on those long, cold, and frosty winter nights, they won’t get any warmer! Electric blankets are a convenient, cost effective way to stay warm during the winter months. But do you need to be concerned about electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure from these appliances?

The answer is an unequivocal yes. Here’s why.

Any electrical appliance emits EMFs. When electricity passes on a wire, it creates an electromagnetic field. EMFs have been linked to an increased risk of cancer and a whole host of other terrible diseases. In 2007, the Bio-Initiative Report reviewed over 2000 published studies on the negative health effects of EMFs on humans and animals. It concluded that there was cause for concern and that the existing standards for public safety were, and still are, completely inadequate.

Electric blankets emit EMFs at levels 5 to 20 times higher than the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed safe level of exposure. (The Trifield 100XE EMF meter can give you readings if you want to know exactly where you stand on this.)

Why Are Electric Blankets So Potentially Dangerous?

Image courtesy of ginnerobot (Flickr)

Recently, the World Health Organization classified EMFs from cell phones and other devices as possible carcinogens – placing them in the same category as DDT! But electric blankets pose a potentially greater risk than other appliances, such as cell phones, because of two factors.

1. Duration One of the key determinants of the magnitude of the health risk you’re exposed to is the duration of exposure. The longer you’re exposed, the greater the risk. If you sleep under an electric blanket that’s turned on, you’re wrapped (no pun intended) in EMFs through the night. This increases the amount of EMF radiation you’re exposed to by leaps and bounds. Nighttime is also when your body is secreting melatonin, a hormone that protects against cancer. Epidemiological studies have shown that EMFs inhibit its secretion, leading to fatigue, sleepless nights and increased cancer risk.

2. Proximity The rule of thumb with all forms of radiation is: the further you are from the source, the lower your exposure. The EMFs produced by an electric blanket are emitted very close to the body: they penetrate deeper. They also radiate across your whole body, unlike cell phones and other devices. So electric blankets expose you to EMFs for a long duration, perhaps up to 8-10 hours a day in winter, and at close proximity to your body.

This constitutes chronic exposure, and is what makes them so dangerous, especially for pregnant women and children. Children have been shown to absorb more EMF radiation than adults, due to various factors linked to their undeveloped bodies. Studies indicate that women who used an electric blanket around the time of conception and during early pregnancy were nearly twice as likely to miscarry as women who did not.

What Are The Alternatives To Using An Electric Blanket?

Image courtesy of ChefMattRock (Flickr)

Due to these concerns, manufactures have developed “zero magnetic field” blankets. Though these blankets eliminate magnetic fields, they may still emit electric fields. This poses an unnecessary risk to you and your family. There are other more natural alternatives to electric blankets.

* Use an extra blanket or duvet to cover yourself. Fleece sheets and a down duvet are a great way to stay warm over the winter months.

* It’s not very romantic, but you can don a hat and socks in bed.

* Use a hot water bottle, wheat bag, or a rice bag to warm your bed at night.

If you can’t live without your electric blanket, here are a couple of ways to minimize your exposure.

1. Turn the blanket on about 30 minutes before you go to sleep and let it warm the bed. Turn it off before you tuck in and unplug the cord from the socket. This is important; when the blanket is turned off but still plugged in, it emits a powerful electric field.

2. Buy a newer blanket. Though they still pose a risk to your health, newer models radiate less EMFs into your home.

So you see, keeping warm on those winter nights does not have to mean EMF exposure. The other alternative, if you already own an electric blanket, is to lay it over the bed without plugging it in….

Image courtesy of schani (Flickr)

Baby, It’s Cold Outside: Electric Blankets and Your Health is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

As the end of the year rolls towards us, the American government recently narrowly avoided another shutdown. The economy is still shaky, and people are spooked. Prevailing wisdom is that we are too broke to dream big about the future of our nation. But is that the whole story?

Annie Leonard and the team behind 2008′s award-winning The Story of Stuff are back with a new tale: The Story of Broke. In another relatable animated short, they explore the ways in which our money is currently being used, as well as ways in which we can demand greater accountability, take it back, and rebuild a better way forward for our home.

Image courtesy of danielmoyle (Flickr)

The Story of Broke is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

Image courtesy of Wen-Yan King (Flickr)

Dear EarthTalk: Are the plastic tiers on food steamers safe for food and for re-heating? Some indicate they are made from #7 plastic. I am very interested in buying a steamer, but not if they are unsafe. What’s the best way to go? – Jim Lichlyter, Jr., Valley Center, KS

While you may never know for sure whether the plastic parts in a food steamer will contribute to health problems down the road, why gamble? Plastic marked with a #7 recycling symbol—signifying mixed sources (polycarbonate) or otherwise hard-to-classify plastics (such as acrylonitrile styrene or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene)—is considered one of the riskiest in terms of chemical exposure. Polycarbonates are the most common types of plastic in items marked #7. And any of these three “feedstocks” just mentioned could contain Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical in widespread use since the 1930s to harden plastic.

Researchers have found that exposure to BPA, a known “endocrine disruptor” that can mimic the body’s natural hormones, can lead to neurological and reproductive problems. As a result, public health advocates recommend not using containers marked with #7 for storing, heating or serving food/drinks so as to minimize the amount of BPA in our bloodstreams. Keeping BPA out of our bodies is an uphill battle: A recent study found that 96 percent of pregnant women in the U.S. have at least trace amounts of BPA in their systems already (and probably the rest of us do as well).

In response to increased consumer awareness about the potential risks of exposure to BPA, many bottle and container makers are now marketing versions of their plastic products that are BPA-free—and the trend has extended to food steamers, with several now available in BPA-free versions, including Oster’s 5712, Black & Decker’s HS1050, and Big & Fast’s Plastic Electric Food Steamer. Buyers beware: Even some BPA-free steamers have non-stick surface made from PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene, better known as Teflon), another hazardous chemical that health advocates recommend avoiding.

Image courtesy of avlyxz (Flickr)

But to complicate matters further, a July 2011 study by a group of Texas-based researchers and published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Environmental Health Perspectives found that just because a plastic product is marked “BPA-free” doesn’t guarantee that it won’t leach other endocrine disrupting chemicals—what the study refers to as “estrogenic activity” or “EA”—into food or drinks: “Almost all commercially available plastic products we sampled—independent of the type of resin, product or retail source—leached chemicals having reliably detectable EA, including those advertised as BPA free,” the researchers reported. In some cases, BPA-free products released greater amounts of estrogenic chemicals than even products known to contain BPA.

In light of all this, consumers might want to just opt for food steamers (and food storage and preparation items) made of tried and true plastic-free materials like glass or stainless steel. Some highly rated non-plastic, non-Teflon food steamers include Secura’s 3-Tier Stainless Steel Food Steamer ($90), Miracle Exclusives’ Stainless Steel Rice Cooker and Vegetable Steamer ME81 ($70), and World Cuisine’s 4-quart Red Enamel Cast-Iron Steamer with a tempered glass colander and a tempered glass lid ($220). And don’t forget: You can save yourself some money and kitchen storage space by just getting an inexpensive metal steamer basket, collapsible insert or bamboo steamer, available at any cookware store for less than $20.

CONTACT: Environmental Health Perspectives, ehp03.niehs.nih.gov.

EarthTalk® is written and edited by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss and is a registered trademark of E – The Environmental Magazine (www.emagazine.com). Send questions to: earthtalk@emagazine.com. Subscribe: www.emagazine.com/subscribe. Free Trial Issue: www.emagazine.com/trial.

Hot (and Heavy): Safety in Food Steamers is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

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Here is a list of 50 Common Eco-Crimes Committed By College Students from “Best Colleges Online.” 

1. Boiling unnecessary water: Overfilling your teakettle or boiling without a lid wastes energy and takes more time to get going.
2. Buying new books: Instead of buying new books, it’s more eco-friendly to buy used ones, or even rent or check out books from the library instead.
3. Throwing away pens: Cheap bulk bag pens are convenient, but wasteful. Get a refillable pen instead, and throw away just a small refill rather than an entire pen.
4. Wasting paper: Unlimited printing at the library doesn’t mean you should go crazy — print only what you absolutely need to have on paper.
5. Forgetting to turn off the tap: Turn off the tap when you’re brushing your teeth or washing dishes.
6. Recycle the way they say: Recycling doesn’t work if you don’t do it right. Remove caps, put the right item in the right bin so it can be processed correctly.
7. Wash full loads: Load the dishwasher and washing machine with full loads instead of half or less.
8. Writing inside the margins: You’ve probably been taught to stay neatly within the margins of your paper, but that is a wasteful practice when you’re just taking notes. Write all the way to the edge, and you may be surprised how much you can fit on each page.
9. Dumping unwanted items: When the semester’s over and students move on, students often leave behind items that they don’t really want to take with them.
10. Leaving your TV on in an empty room: If you’re not watching your TV or listening to the radio, turn them off.

To get the rest of the habits you may be able to easily modify, check out the full list. ”50 Common Eco-Crimes Committed By College Students” republished with permission from The Green Market.

Richard

Richard Matthews is a consultant, sustainable investor, writer and owner of The Green Market, a leading sustainable business blog that covers the convergence of sustainable capitalism and the global environment. The Green Market is one of the most comprehensive resources for information and tools on sustainability. Richard is a contributor to more than 50 publications including, Environmental News Network (ENN) and The Green Economy Post. Find him on Facebook and Linkedin. Follow The Green Market’s twitter feed and see the Facebook Fan Page.

Editor’s Note: Article published for information purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation or solicitation.

50 Common Eco-Crimes Committed By College Students is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

Image courtesy of Kamal H (Flickr)

My husband and I watch the show “Pawn Stars” on the History Channel. I first liked the show because I loved to hear about the history behind many of the items. However, my mind began to focus more on the personal story behind the piece than the history of it.

Many times the pawn shop owners will ask “How did you get this?” Countless pawn hopefuls share how their ancestors did everything they could to attain the item.  Their relatives absolutely cherished these items that brought them so much pride and joy.

Then the store owners ask “Well, why are you selling it?” Usually the answers are something like “I need a new motorcycle,” “I need to pay my rent,” or the inevitable – “I need some more money to gamble” (the location is Vegas after all).

Image courtesy of chelsea.parker.photo (Flickr)

I started thinking… Wow! This person’s relative at one point in time loved and cherished this possession. I’m sure many of them gave their blood, sweat and tears to acquire it. I bet they celebrated finally getting the item and eagerly showed it off to others that only dreamed of owning something like that. That possession meant the world to that person.

And now? It has been become a trivial prop and a means to an end of fast cash.

Last week I shared a Bible verse: “After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it.” (1 Timothy 6:7, New Living Translation) It’s true. What means the most to us, right now at this point in time will not mean the same thing to people years and years down the road.

Unless… We fill it with meaning. We are created to make an impact far beyond our four walls.

Don’t get me wrong; there is nothing wrong with enjoying material things. I love Chanel purses and Louboutin shoes just as much as the next girl. But I can’t take them with me.

I’ve often talked to people about creating their legacy. It is also important to start living that legacy with things that make an impact and whose qualities never fade: integrity, passion, purpose, love, service, giving, compassion. These are things that have no price tag, because their worth is invaluable. Carry these things forward, and I guarantee no one would ever trade it in for an insignificant object or fast cash.

Allyson

Allyson Spellman is the founder of Unleash Your Voice. She is a freelance writer, speaker and empowerment coach dedicated to helping women redeem and unleash their authentic voice- loudly, boldly and unapologetically. She is also the creator of “Sheeple Reform School” designed to free women from unknowingly subscribing to a herd mentality, following the crowd and unintentionally undermining their own identity and voice. To learn more about Allyson and to sign-up for her Free Voice Redemption newsletter, visit the site now.

An Invaluable Life is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

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Depending on where you live, this time of year it can be a real challenge to buy locally grown or raised food. But it’s important, especially as we approach our most foodcentric holidays. Homegrown or neaby-grown food can have an environmental impact even greater than what the big meal has on our waistlines!

Of course, most of us are aware that the grapes we use to garnish our Thanksgiving dessert may have spent two weeks traveling to get to us before being placed on display where they might languish another few days before we bring them home. Fresh, they’re not.

Unfortunately, the main constraint on shopping at your local farmer’s homestead is the time of year. Unless you live in a temperate climate or are blessed with a heated greenhouse, obtaining fruits and vegetables locally year around means that at some point in the summer you may be inundated by zucchini – and by January you’re beginning to dislike turnips with apassion usually reserved for politicians.

But just because our consciences won’t allow us to enjoy oranges in November if we live in New York doesn’t mean our Thanksgiving tables will look barren.

Here are some ideas for finding locally grown foods and other Thanksgiving goodies.

Radishes

1. Check LocalHarvest.org for what’s in season and available in your neck of the woods.

2. While most farmers markets are closed for the season, some sell year round. Do a search for “year around farmers market+your city” and see what you find. (Local Harvest also may list them.)

3. Check local farms. Again, do an online search, i.e. “organic farm near Seattle,” then if you find some, call and see what they will be offering prior to Thanksgiving.

4. Your natural market or co-op is the most obvious source of local fare.

Now that you’ve discovered some great places to buy, how do you afford it? Here are some ideas for saving green when buying green.

1. Group buy. Get together with friends/neighbors/schools and propose to purchase in bulk. Let your friendly neighborhood farmer know that you are willing to buy 50 pounds of her organic sweet potatoes and she’s more likely to give you a good price. Why not approach your local natural food store with the same offer−it never hurts to ask.

Dinner is served

2. Seriously consider how much food you need too pull of the best Thanksgiving ever. Will serving six dishes instead of ten make the holiday any less successful? Eliminate the dishes with the most expensive ingredients, substitute less costly alternatives or leave them out.

3. Vow not to purchase anything but food. No décor (borrow from nature), flowers (ditto), tablecloths, napkins, plates, glasses or silverware (borrow or have guests bring their own place settings and tell them you’re having “an old-fashioned Thanksgiving,” because that’s what people did before there were paper plates and plastic flatware). You also could rent or purchase for very little at a thrift store.

4. Put together a potluck Thanksgiving where you provide only the main item, usually the turkey, unless you’re going vegetarian. Assign all other dishes to guests.

5. Forage. No kidding. You may find everything from seafood to mushrooms and greens out your backdoor. But be sure to know what you’re doing before you try this one. You don’t want to kill anyone off as a result of eating at your house! If you hurry, there may be time to sign up for aforaging class before the holidays.

6. Trade. Know a local farmer, but can’t afford to purchase what you want to feed your party? Ask what he needs. Maybe he’ll trade six months of haircuts or carwashes, babysitting or weeding for a big bird.

Aim for a 100% local meal, but if you can’t reach it, know that you tried. And in doing so, surely you’ve most likely impoved. Next thing you know, you’ll be thinking about Thanksgiving 2012 in July and freeze veggies in anticipation!

Lynn & Corey

Lynn Colwell and Corey Colwell-Lipson are mother and daughter and co-authors of Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family, available at www.CelebrateGreen.net

Buy Local For a No-Guilt Thanksgiving is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

Image courtesy of iwanbeijes (sxc.hu)

I usually let divine inspiration guide me when I sit down to write. Today, the message was coming at me loud and clear- from a news story to speaking with a friend to connecting to my 7-month-old daughter: Be grateful for the blessings in your life and make them a priority.

What do I mean by this? Many times it takes a personal tragedy, a scare or someone else’s heartbreaking story to get us to realize what is important in life.

This morning I saw a story on “The Today Show” about a woman named Stacie who was diagnosed with terminal cancer while she was pregnant. She was given a choice: to undergo cancer-fighting treatments to save her own life and put her baby greatly at risk or forgo treatment and hopefully give birth to a healthy baby. She chose to give up her own life in order to give life to her baby girl Dottie May.

The joyful mother got to hold her daughter briefly and only three days later, Stacie passed away. Now her brother and his wife are raising little Dottie Mae and sharing Stacie’s courageous story.

Image courtesy of eyecon2 (sxc.hu)

I also spoke to my friend April who shared that a few years ago her daughter’s best friend was tragically killed in a car accident. Her daughter walked away with some scratches but ended up being okay. Here’s the kicker- her daughter switched seats with her friend at the last minute.

After this happened, April remembered all the days she decided not to spend time with her daughter in order to log in more hours at work. It was this incident that gave her the courage to start her own business and make family her top concer. She was determined to build a life around her priorities.

When I watched and heard both of these things, I was holding my daughter on my lap. It made me think of all the times I prayed to one day be a mommy. It was something I wanted for so long. Once I surrendered to a higher plan, I was graciously blessed with her. It was not on the timetable I wanted at first, but now I see how it was all unfolding at the perfect time with the perfect partner. Hearing these two things made me want to just hold onto her so tight and never let go.

What are your priorities? Perhaps you have even forgotten about them- not intentionally of course. Life gets busy. Bills need to get paid. We are hit with an onslaught of distractions on a daily basis. But at the end of your life, with what do you hope to feel complete?

One of the things I don’t want is to be lost in a sea of regrets: “I wish I could have” or “I should have done this” or “What was I thinking?” It is so easy to lose sight of our true priorities. We can disconnect from those things we once considered our greatest blessings.

Life does happen. But make sure an autopilot life doesn’t cloud your perspective on what really matters to you. Take some time to get clarity on what it is you really want. Chisel through all the “surface” answers and get to the deep inner chambers of your heart. What REALLY is important to you?

This may very well be one of the most important questions you can ever ask.

Allyson

Allyson Spellman is the founder of Unleash Your Voice. She is a freelance writer, speaker and empowerment coach dedicated to helping women redeem and unleash their authentic voice- loudly, boldly and unapologetically. She is also the creator of “Sheeple Reform School” designed to free women from unknowingly subscribing to a herd mentality, following the crowd and unintentionally undermining their own identity and voice. To learn more about Allyson and to sign-up for her Free Voice Redemption newsletter, visit the site now.

What Are Your Priorities? is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

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What are the scariest attractions at Disneyland? It may not be the roller-coasters, if an environmental group’s accusations are well-founded.

The Mateel Environmental Justice Foundation filed an injunction last week that would require the Anaheim, Calfornia park to post warning signs or cover surfaces found to contain lead. According to the Los Angeles Times, Mateel had filed a lawsuit in Orange County court in April, alleging “excessive levels of lead in such commonly touched objects as the Sword in the Stone attraction,” along with brass door knobs at Minnie’s House, stained-glass windows in a door at the entrance to a beauty salon in Cinderella’s Castle” and several other locations.

Image courtesy of cwsillero (sxc.hu)

Last year, Mateel sent individuals to conduct “wipe testing” of various surfaces at Disneyland. They found that a number of surfaces contained many more times the amount of lead than that which requires a posted sign. According to the International Business Times, signs are required when “average exposure exceeds 0.5 micrograms per day.”

Disney has claimed that they have posted warning signs and are not violating California law. A Disney spokeswoman told the Los Angeles Times, “We have not seen the papers that we are told are being filed, so we cannot comment specifically. However, we believe that Disneyland Resort is in full compliance with the signage requirements.”

The research director at the Center For Environmental Health said in a press release, “It’s disappointing that a $38 billion company like Disney can’t be bothered to clean up their parks so they’re safe for children. We’re telling our supporters to send a message to Disney today: there is no place for lead poisoning at the world’s happiest place.”

Image courtesy of pnijhuis (sxc.hu)

Lead is on the list of chemicals covered by California’s 1986 Proposition 65 that requires the labeling of products or places that contain “chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.”

According to health experts, lead poisoning occurs when individuals’ blood contains 10 micrograms per deciliter. The CDC reported this summer that lead poisoning among American adults has dropped by over 50 percent in the past 15 years.

“Disneyland Attractions Contain High Levels Of Lead, Environmental Group Alleges” republished with permission from Ecoseed.

Ecoseed is a leading source for global green news, finance, and other resources in delivering green and renewable energy to mainstream business. Ecoseed’s mission is to provide global, complete, innovative, and up to date news, information, resources, and opportunities, catalyst to incorporate environmental awareness and responsibility into lifestyle, and in business practices. This world-wide platform is the place to find the latest and most relevant in-depth news and data covering the entire spectrum of the renewable energy industry and the low-carbon sector.

Disneyland Attractions Contain High Levels Of Lead, Environmental Group Alleges is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

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Have you noticed how at ease your kids are with a cell phone in their hands? Isn’t it nice that they can wander about the house and garden, surfing the Internet on their laptops? And aren’t game consoles so much better now that you haven’t got all those wires wandering all over the place? All of this is great – but there is a downside. And this is that our kids are going to be the first generation of humans to be experiencing Electromagnetic Field (EMF) pollution throughout their whole lives.

Recent scientific studies have begun to provide us with a glimpse of the resultant health problems. A study in Denmark revealed that 54% of children born of mothers who were cell phone users had behavioral issues. If the children grew up to be frequent cell phone users, that percentage rose to 80%. That’s 4 out of 5 children – a staggering figure.

75% of teenagers in the US are now using cell phones (up 45% since 2004). But cell phones are not the only emitters of EMF radiation. There are myriad other sources of EMFs in our homes and schools. WiFi routers, laptops and PCs, game consoles, smart meters and microwaves all emit EMFs. There are also external sources: TV, radio and cell towers, and high voltage power lines to name a few. These have all been linked to increased cancer risks.

EMFs are a form of energy. You can’t see them, nor can you smell them. But they are all around us, and they penetrate walls. They have many uses. We use them in our cell and cordless phones and other wireless devices, to communicate. We use them in microwaves to heat our food.

Image courtesy of prima_vera (sxc.hu)

Children are at a higher risk because they absorb more EMF radiation than adults. This is because their bodies have a higher water content, which makes them more conductive to the radiation. They are also more vulnerable because their skulls are thinner, their brains are still growing, their immune systems are still developing, and their cells are still rapidly dividing.

We can only imagine the cumulative health effects on a child who has been exposed to EMF radiation all their lives. After four decades of exposure, when we generally start to see environmental effects like tumors, the health effects will most likely be staggering. You need to start informing, and protecting, your children now.

EMF Radiation Reduction Tips For Kids

There are several things that you can do as a parent to reduce your children’s exposure to harmful EMF radiation.

1. Cell phones

Cell phones offer a convenient way to stay in touch with friends and family. But for children, the risks may outweigh the benefits. If you do buy your child a cell phone, explain to them the dangers. Encourage them to text rather than talk. Long drawn out conversations are to be avoided – they should only be talking in an emergency. If you have a cell phone, do not use your cell phone while you’re near your child.

2. Cordless phones

Cordless phones use EMFs to communicate between the handset and the base station, just like cell phones. The base station is constantly bathing your home with EMF radiation. If you do have a cordless phone, make sure the base is nowhere near your child’s bedroom. The base works a like mini cell phone tower, so try to keep it away from your children as much as possible. Better still, get rid of the cordless phone and install a corded phone. They are cheaper, and your family may thank you for it one day.

3. WiFi

WiFi is probably the greatest contributor to your child’s EMF exposure. WiFi also emits the same kind of radiation as cell phones. While cell phone the radiation is limited to the time when the phone is in use, with Wi-Fi the radiation is continuously emitted. Measurements have shown that Wi-Fi radiation can be three times stronger than EMF radiation from a cell tower!

Image courtesy of chidsey (sxc.hu)

If you have a wireless network in your home, replace it with hardwiring. If you’re unable to get rid of the wireless router, place it away from any living areas. Make sure it’s not next to, or a below, your child’s bedroom as WiFi penetrate walls. When you’re not using the wireless network, turn it off! Your children could also be exposed to WiFi radiation in their schools. “EMF aware schools” are now removing WiFi networks from their school grounds. If your child is in a school that has a wireless network, petition the schools to move to hardwiring.

4. Video Game Consoles

Newer game consoles come with wireless controllers that are a growing source of EMF radiation exposure to our kids. Wireless game controllers use WiFi or Bluetooth technology in their operation – this means they generate WiFi and Bluetooth radiation. Sony’s PlayStation 3 uses EMFs to communicate between the handheld units and the main console, as does the Nintendo Wii. For the Sony PlayStation 3, buy your child wired controllers instead of the wireless versions. I’ve yet to come across a wired hand controller for the Nintendo Wii, so make sure your child switches off the console when he or she is not using it.

5. Wireless Baby Monitors

Digital wireless baby monitors emit pulses of electromagnetic radiation directly into your baby’s bedroom. If you are a parent or a grandparent, or you have a friend that uses one of these devices, get information about alternatives such as an analog model or a webcam linked via a wire.

There are now thousands of studies attesting to the dangers of EMF radiation. And when the danger is to our children, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Our children are our future; protecting that future is the key responsibility of parents. Being informed and vigilant is ultimately the best way to be safe.

Image courtesy of just4you (sxc.hu)

EMF Exposure and Your Kids is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag