Do you ever think about water and importance of conservation of water? I do more now than I used to.

photo by Clark Little

My partner Mark and I have been working for a client in Australia, which happens to be one of the driest continents on the planet. We are building 2 web sites for him: Freedom Waterless, which is an ecommerce site meant to promote a waterless car wash product and benefits-of-recycling, which is an information site about recycling and other issues that revolve around the topic of taking care of the environment.

Building his benefits site has given me the opportunity to learn a great deal about water, and how this element in its purest and most natural form is a rare thing. As a matter of fact of all the water on the planet today only 1 per cent is fit to drink.

There are many reasons for this, which we go into detail on the benefits site, but there are other ramifications that we hardly ever even consider… things like the manufacture of water bottles.

In an effort to provide clean and filtered drinking water we have become a world that relies on drinking water from plastic water bottles. And what is the result of this? Our landfills are overflowing because the materials used to make these water bottles take from 450 to 1,000 years to biodegrade.

This fact is important to point out because the reason they became so popular in the first place was to fulfill a market (make money) rather than solve a problem. This happens time and time again in a myriad of other kinds of scenarios.

What’s the solution. It starts with awareness, then spreads to taking responsibility. It doesn’t help to blame and point fingers (as tempting as that might be!). The real solution starts with me and my neighbor, and my sister and the guy that works for me, etc, etc.

My husband and I started a couple of years ago by using Brita filters for our water. We also water our lawn a little less (just enough to keep the Home Owners Association off our backs!) and we teach my husband’s son this lesson when he stays with us.

It’s not a lot but I feel better about doing something. There are really many, many little things – easy things – we can do every day to turn things around. What things? Just visit Benefits-of-Recycling and visit the pages:

Water Conservation Solutions

Water Conservation Methods

Water Conservation Devices

That’s it for now. Till next time… be like nature.

Kim McGinnis
Be Like Nature

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photo by ichiro kishimi

Earth Day has come and gone, but the planet we inhabit still remains with its beauty and with its issues and challenges.

It is easy to appreciate our lush surroundings and majestic scenery, but do you ever stop to think what needs to be done to protect it?

If you are like most people, you do sometimes. You understand about the whole responsibility issue. So, I won’t even go there.

I will just leave you with a related quote…

“Let every individual and institution now think and act as a responsible trustee of Earth, seeking choices in ecology, economics and ethics that will provide a sustainable future, eliminate pollution, poverty and violence, awaken the wonder of life and foster peaceful progress in the human adventure.”

— John McConnell, founder of International Earth Day

And for those of you that would like more information on the benefits of recycling, visit benefits-of-recycling.com.

Kim McGinnis
Be Like Nature

P.S. If you like this blog, please click the icons below (i.e. Stumble it!). And please subscribe – I am deeply and sincerely appreciative of your support.

photo by, sylko


I discovered something I was not aware of the other day. On a drive in Boulder, Colorado my brother-in-law (James) and sister-in-law (Lura), and Mark and I were talking about traffic and cars. We were buzzing along during rush hour because we were on a toll road. I wished that we had this option when we lived in California. Pay an extra 2, 3 or 4dolllars, and get an open highway…you betcha.


So, the topic of hybrids came up – the Prius to be exact. I remember right before we left to move to Colorado, our Tax Accountant, John, just brought a brand new Prius. He seemed very happy with his purchase. I am not so sure if it was because he was being kind to the earth, or more that he was frugal, and was excited about not spending so much at the gas station. Either way, “good for him”, I thought at the time.


So, the other day, James and Lura point out that the Prius is not such a green or economical car, after all. Apparently the battery that runs this car only last a certain amount of time, and after that you need to buy a new one, in order to run on the open road. The cost of one of these economical car batteries? About $15,000.


Apparently no one is sure how long these batteries last, so I guess, you just better hope you get lucky, and hope you have the energizer bunny on your side. And then what do you do with these batteries, and how long will mother earth have to carry them in her belly?


I get a stomach ache just thinking about it. Hey, but I hate to be one of those people that complains about companies that are at least trying to make a difference, and come up with alternative solutions. And who knows if the information I gleaned was accurate. I love James and Lura, and they are very intelligent people, but I did not ask for their sources…maybe I will the next time I see them. And I promise to get back to you when I get the scoop.


P.S. If you like this blog, please click the icons below (i.e. Stumble it!). And please subscribe – I am deeply and sincerely appreciative of your support.

Kim McGinnis, Be Like Nature

photo by david9wong

I am sure most of you are familiar with the various ways we humans can be more green. Here are a few common ways most of us are aware of: recycling, using energy efficient light bulbs, purchasing Seventh Generation products (tissue, toilet paper, dish soap, etc.), using a water filter and forgoing the plastic water bottles, and using canvas shopping bags. We may use a combination of some of these, and some of us (me included), could do alot better…we do the best we can.

But I think there is a great way to conserve our precious natural resources that many people have not considered – working from home. Not only is this a great green alternative to driving to work, it allows you more freedom to do the things that make your life more enjoyable. If your place of employment does not offer this option, do no let this stop you.

There is a way to make more money (green) from home by working online, than you can make in your present job. Then you will have the time to do those other things that are good to the earth, like growing your own organic vegetable garden, washing your clothes in cold water, then hanging your clothes out to dry. They will smell lovely, save your energy dollars by not running the dryer, and the clothes themselves will last longer as the dryer will not make them shed wispy fibers.

Read more…

photo by ecstaticist

Since I have been living in Erie, Colorado I have noticed how much attention green living is getting. You would think California (where I used to live) would be all over the green lifestyle…and some places were. But you would usually have to go quite a ways to a place like the neighborhood Whole Foods.

My husband and I live in a very rural part of Colorado, and although we do have commercial places like Starbucks and Blockbuster (thank Heaven!), the closest Whole Foods we came by was driving by one from a distance while we traveling along the freeway.

But, the thing is , Colorado’s “normal” every day places have this kind of healthy offering. It is more mainstream to promote the canvas shopping bags, and the bamboo cutting boards, and a large variety of organic fruits and veggies.

And, I don’t know about you, but I can pick up on a higher consciousness when I am in certain places (CO) as opposed to other(CA). At the risk of getting all airy-fairy I can pick up a certain awareness that we, as citizens of the earth, should be more responsible for our present state of affairs now that I live here.

It made me curious how the cities in Colorado stacked up against the rest of the cities in the U.S. This is what I found on Efficient Energy Organization website:

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photo by, hiro008

It’s been extremely hot the last couple days here in Thousand Oaks California. I am not wild about this kind of heat. Anything over 90 degrees and I find it a little difficult to breathe.

I grew up in Arizona and I wasn’t crazy about the heat there either. I never remember liking the desert, let alone thinking it was beautiful. It’s flat, there’s nothing green, maybe a tumble weed here and there, some cacti, and some deadly scorpions meandering about.

But I know there are many people out there who love the desert, and many people are setting up new homes in Arizona and Nevada. And it is more than the price of real estate, they actually love the heat. Maybe most of these people are from the East Coast. Grass is always greener…

But as much as I prefer a little chill in the air, I am more open minded these days. I searched for some beautiful desert scenes, some that moved me, and I softened a little in my stance.

The top left pic is the White Desert in Egypt.

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photo by J. Philipson

If you are like me you love trees. I feel so fortunate to live in an area where trees are abundant. My home is Thousand Oaks California, and it is not a coincidence that there are many, many oak trees (as well as other varieties) in our city. Since I have been here I have planted one tree, and I plan on planting more.

When I was younger I remember looking for an apartment that I could afford. The ones with a view of something green were few and far between. Who wants to look out the window at another stucco building, a trash can-lined alley or a busy street? Most of us would like a little glimpse of something that reminds us that we are creative beings.

Still not convinced? Here are 5 great reasons to get out there and start planting:

1. 10 average sized trees provide enough oxygen for the average sized person for his entire lifetime. If you haven’t planted your 10 trees yet, you are taking up somebody’s else’s air. If you have never planted a tree before, but would like to take the plunge, go to Tree Help.

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photo by Miradise

These past few years there have been more natural disasters than ever before. Floods, tornadoes, and earthquakes are killing at alarming rates all over the world. Those not killed are left displaced, feeling utterly lost and alone.

Some may say global warming is to blame. Green house gases cause the temperature to rise, the ocean is affected, weather patterns change, etc, etc. Some say global warming is a myth. I don’t agree. Instead I would say it is a symptom of a much deeper problem.

When you think about the world, how do you see it? Do you see individual things and individual people? Do you compare yourself to others and what they have? Does it make you want what they have and more?

Or do you see energy? Do you see that everything is moving and changing from moment to moment? Does that make you understand that holding on to something is not natural? Do you see yourself in other people? Does your compassionate nature come out when you see them struggle? When you are out in nature do you feel like it is your responsibility to protect it? Do you feel grateful at the sight of natural beauty, like it is a zen gift from the Universe?

When we ask ourselves questions it helps to uncover the way to make ourselves, and our world a better place. If we are disgusted when we learn that corporations dump gallons of toxic waste into our oceans everyday, it might make us think of what we may do on a much smaller scale. From there we are in a position to do something…something other than complain.

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photo by, love_child_kyoto

Hi everyone. I feel I have not been operating on all cylinders when it has come to this Be Like Nature blog. The truth is I have been spending an inordinate amount of time and energy on developing my new website, a zen gift.

So, in an effort to walk the talk, I have been trying to search for ways that I can be more like nature…thereby alleviating any excess stress (that would be the “bad” kind of stress).

So, what’s a girl to – a girl trying to beat the Google Adwords game, turning hard earned money into clicks, and hoping for the sight of the heavenly conversion. As I write this, I know the answer instantly. Just like a tree does not demand or try to grow, it just grows.

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photo by kagedfish

I love the rain. Growing in Phoenix, Arizona where it was common to experience 120 degree weather, I look to the heavens and express my thanks when I see the storm clouds rolling in. But something happens after about the third straight day…I miss the sun.

We have had an extremely wet 2008 here in Southern California. And this last string of rainy days really had me yearning for a little sunshine. As much as I love the lush landscape of Washington and Oregon, I know my spirit would inevitable be somehow “less than” in a climate where the sun did not make a more frequent appearance.

Yesterday as I took my morning walk with my husband and my 2 dogs, the sun kept us company. Like a dear friend that was away on a long vacation she joined us and lifted our mood. Everything seemed brighter – it was literally, of course. But the energy of the atmosphere was circulating in such a way that I could not help but be more aware of what was around me.

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