FitSugar

Green Exercise: Ride Your Bike Inside

FitSugar — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 14:30:00 -0800

Riding your bike is perfect exercise for your heart and a wonderful way to tone your lower body. It's also great for the environment, because it doesn't require any gas or electricity to get it going. If you live in a place where Winter means cold, ice, and snow, I'm sure you've put your bike away till the Spring, but you can still get the benefits of riding your bike without having to go outside.

Transform your favorite bike into a stationary bike by using a cycle trainer like the Blackburn TrakStand Mag ($159.99). All you do is remove your bike's front wheel and mount your back wheel into the cycle trainer's mount, which elevates your bike and keeps it stable, turning your road bike into a stationary bike. This bike mount even folds up for easy storage.

Want to make your indoor ride even more challenging? Then read more

If you're a more experienced rider, you can also use a cycling roller ($169.99) like this one from CycleOps. These are a little harder to use, and you really need to pay attention to steering and balancing so you don't fall off the rollers. They require more concentration than just hopping on your bike and going for a ride since you're not attached to the rollers.

Although cycle trainers and rollers can be pretty pricey, ranging from $100 to more than $300, they're cheaper than having to go out and buy an expensive stationary bike. This is a lot smaller than a huge piece of equipment too, so that means less space taken up in a landfill someday.

Patagonia's Common Threads Recycling Program

FitSugar — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 14:30:00 -0700

Do you ever think about how much stuff ends up in the trash? So much crap ends up in the dump after we're done using it, and most of it won't biodegrade.

The people over at Patagonia are working to help this problem. In 2005 they launched their Common Threads Recycling Program. Customers can return their worn out Capilene Performance Baselayers to Patagonia for recycling. They've also added Patagonia fleece, Polartec fleece from other manufacturers, and Patagonia organic cotton T-shirts to their list of recyclables.

Their long-term goal is to take environmental responsibility for everything they make. After you give up your used clothes, they use the recycled materials to make new clothes. Here's a crazy (and long) video explaining Patagonia's program. It talks about recycling your "undies," but they are referring to capilene long underwear (also called baselayers).

Doing a little end of summer closet clean-out and interested in recycling your old clothes? To find out how read more

You can either mail your washed item(s) to the Patagonia Service Center at:

Patagonia Service Center
ATTN: Common Threads Recycling Program
8550 White Fir Street
Reno, NV 89523-8939
Or drop them off at the Patagonia retail shop nearest you.

Pretty cool, huh? If you choose to recycle your old clothes, you'll gain the satisfaction of knowing that your old polyester garments will not end up in a landfill or an incinerator, and that future Patagonia products will require significantly less virgin polyester (less oil) than products from seasons past. You'll feel good knowing your actions are helping the Earth.

10 Easy Ways to Help the Planet This Summer

FitSugar — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 15:45:00 -0700

Our amazing planet Earth is the only home we humans, animals, and plants have. It's precious to us, so we need to do what we can to preserve it. Here are 10 easy ways you can help:

Don't use paper or plastic plates, cups and silverware - that's a ton of waste! For your BBQ, use the stuff you already have from your kitchen. If you're worried about it breaking or getting ruined, purchase reusable plastic plates, cups, and utensils You can also use cloth napkins.
Grow your own vegetable garden. Not only is it fun and exciting to watch your veggies grow, but think about all the gasoline that trucks use to carry veggies from other states - you'll be preventing all that air pollution and global warming. If you can't grow your own garden, support local farmers in your area.

Dry your clothes outside on a line instead of in a clothes dryer. You'll be saving a lot of energy (not to mention money). If you have allergies to pollen - hang your clothes on a drying rack inside.
Use your air-conditioner consciously. Don't blast it when you're not home all day, and close blinds and curtains during the day to keep out the heat. At night, use window fans to draw the cooler air in.
Walk or ride your bike whenever you need to go somewhere. If that's not possible, try to carpool or use public transportation - it supports the fight against global warming.

There are 5 more. Want to hear them? Then read more

Since you'll be drinking lots of water, get yourself a reusable water bottle. It's great to recycle those disposable water bottles, but re-using is even better!
If you shave your legs in the shower, turn off the water while you do your thing. It'll save lots of water. Do the same thing when you brush your teeth - no need to let the water run.
Compost your kitchen scraps, leftover food, and grass clippings.
If you own a home, use a human-powered push lawn mower instead of one powered by gasoline.
Use reusable glass or plastic containers to pack leftovers in. If you bring your lunch to work, get one of those cute reusable lunch bags.

Fit's Tips: Be sure to share these tips with friends and family. If you have any other tips, tell me about them below.

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And The Winner Is....

FitSugar — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 15:45:00 -0700

The winner of the FitSugar Tote is: EcannDallas!!!! I used a great site, Random.org
to "virtually" draw a number out of a hat. Think of all the paper I saved!!!

Here is her comment, number 52, from the Speak Up: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle:

I just talked to my family about getting canvas bags yesterday! how bizarre.

i NEVER just let the water run. if im washing my face brushing my teeth, even taking a shower, i turn the water off while im lathering up!!! its amazing how much water we waste.

ill just be excited if anyone wins. that means less garbage for us all!

Congratulations!!!! Now you have a canvas tote to start your collection. Good tips on conserving water too.

Speak Up: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - FitSugar Tote Bag Giveaway

FitSugar — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 04:00:00 -0700

Please note - the winner has been selected. Details to follow. Thanks to everyone who participated.

I am always looking for ways to help out Mother Earth - you know the mantra Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. So in celebration of Earth Day which is coming up on the 22nd (that is this Sunday) I want to know what you do to cut down on the amount of waste you make. We are all trying to be environmentally friendly and I am sure we can all learn from each other. Awwww....

Comment below and you might win this great FitSugar tote bag to use when you go to the grocery store instead of plastic bags (that never break down) or paper bags (poor trees).

To enter the contest for the giveaway all you need to do is leave a comment below about how you reduce, reuse or recycle. I will randomly select the winner by Friday, April 20th by 2pm PST.

Good luck!!!! I can't wait to hear what you have to say.

Get Your Butt in Gear: Patagonia Synchilla Vest

FitSugar — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 12:30:00 -0700

Tis' the season for layering and April is all about being green too (maybe you didn't hear that April 22nd is Earth Day).

This Patagonia Synchilla Vest ($70.00) seems to be the perfect layering workout piece this spring. The vest provides year-round core warmth without all the bulk. What's more? It's made from 100 percent recycled double-faced polyester fleece and there just happens to be one in meadow green...I'm just saying. I'm thinking this would be a great addition to your weekend hike or that chilly early AM run. Buy it from Patagonia.com.

This vest, along with their Common Threads Garment Recycling program provides yet another reason to love Patagonia. Great company.

Don't Trash Your Tree

FitSugar — Tue, 26 Dec 2006 07:30:00 -0800

Nothing compares to the smell of a fresh cut pine tree during Christmas. The aroma alone can bring back wonderful childhood memories you've shared with your family - picking out the tree, decorating its branches, and waking up all excited on Christmas morning to find beautifully wrapped gifts underneath it.

Christmas just wouldn't feel the same without a fresh-cut tree. But after the last gift has been unwrapped, and the guests have all gone home, your tree's needles will be falling, hinting that it's time to take the tree down.

Whatever you do, don't just toss it on the street for a dump truck to haul it away. Want to know what your options are? Then read more

Use your tree as a backyard feeder or shelter. Hang peanut butter pine cone feeders, strands of popcorn or cranberries, fruit slices, suet bags, or seed cakes on the branches.
Cut off the branches and place them over perennials to use as winter mulch. In the summer, you can use the trunk as a bean pole in your garden for growing string beans and sugar snap peas.

Or if you have a fireplace, you can use THIS year's tree to start NEXT year's fire.
Or you can have your tree made into mulch to put around trees, shrubs, and flower beds in your yard.
If you can't use the tree yourself, contact your local Public Works Department or sanitation service - most communities have some type of Christmas tree disposal program. There might be a certain day that trees are collected on the curbside, or you may have to bring it to a collection site to be recycled.

Do whatever works for you, but make sure you do something besides throwing it out. You want the tree's nutrients to find their way back into the Earth - that way they can be used to grow and support new life for us.

Fittingly Green: RecycleYourMat.com

FitSugar — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 03:00:00 -0700

If you practice yoga regularly, chances are you've been through more than one mat. Since many of them are thin and begin to disintegrate with repeated use, you end up having to replace it at least once a year. Instead of mindlessly throwing out your mat, you can be green and recycle it. Visit the Recycle Your Mat website - the first mat recycling program. Just wash and dry it, roll it, package it in brown paper, and mail it to:

Recycle Your Mat
4777 Larkwood Street
Eugene, OR 97405

Once they receive your mat, you'll receive a confirmation email with a coupon for 20 percent off an eco-friendly Manduka mat or other Manduka product. In 2008, 50 percent of the mats were "upcycled" into yoga products, and 30 percent were donated to local community programs. The remaining mats will be upcycled in 2009. It's a great way to do your part and keep mats out of landfills.

Earth Day is Coming! Recycling 101

FitSugar — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 15:45:00 -0700

So I definitely got the run down on how to recycle from Auntie Litter when I was in grade school, but as Earth Day approaches, it seems that my recycling skills could use a once over. Real Simple has broken the whole recycling thing down by making the ins and outs of recycling really, well, simple.

Collect newspapers in a paper grocery bag or in tied bundles, depending on your community’s guidelines, and set them out on pickup day. (It takes up to 75,000 trees to produce one Sunday edition of the New York Times.)
Don’t recycle wet cardboard. It can clog sorting machines. Throw it away to keep it from contaminating the rest of the load.
Don’t recycle bottle tops; they’re not made from the same plastic as recyclable bottles. But if you forget, don’t sweat it. They’ll be sorted down the line. (The energy saved by recycling one plastic bottle can power a computer for 25 minutes.)
Rinse cans, but crushing isn’t necessary. The aluminum can is the most recycled item in the United States, as well as the most valuable. It can be recycled again and again, and so efficiently that a can is regenerated and back on the shelf in as little as 60 days.
Don’t fret if you can’t get the lime out of the beer bottle or the last of the peanut butter from the jar. The recycler’s machinery will zap all contaminants. But do empty and rinse glass jars and containers.

Fit's Tip: Recycling does require a little more effort and energy on your part, but remember energy used means calories burned!

Fittingly Green: 3 Ways to Recycle Your Sneaks

FitSugar — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 09:00:00 -0700

One great thing about running is that you don't need a lot of gear to participate in the sport. Basically you need a good pair of sneakers. When your sneakers wear out, don't just toss them away. You can recycle them and green up your running habit. Here are three different organizations that want your old running shoes:

Soles 4 Souls' tag line is "Saving the world - one pair at a time." This organization takes your tired, but "gently worn," sneakers and finds needy feet to fill your old shoes. They strongly suggest organizing shoe drives and mailing all the pairs to one of their three warehouse locations.

One World Running has been serving runners around the world since 1986. Through collection programs, they are able to provide shoes for runners to many countries including Cuba, Nepal, and Mali. Check here for drop-off locations.

To see one organization that will take your well-worn shoes, read more.

Nike Reuse a Shoe takes all brands of sneakers that are beyond "gently worn" and turns those old shoes into a recycled product known as Nike Grind. Once your recycled shoes are reformulated into Nike Grind, they are used to make tracks, indoor basketball courts, fields, and playgrounds. Just drop off your retired sneakers at any Nike store, or check here for locations.

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