Taking time out for yourself is not only a luxury, it’s a necessity. While our fast-paced lives may make it feel like there’s no time for anything but work, our good health depends on taking a break that focuses on you. Treat yourself to a relaxing week away at some of our favorite eco-retreats…

Sanctuary Olonana, Kenya, Africa

If its rugged nature you seek, sign up for a spa-fari on a private stretch of the Mara River-a stones throw from where Out of Africa was filmed. This small and exclusive luxury safari camp (pictured above) prides itself on sustainable practices thanks to the Sanctuarys wetlands and tree-planting projects, earning it a silver award from Ecotourism Kenya. After dining on fare from the Sanctuarys organic garden, indulge in the mini-spa and pamper up with traditional, natural African remedies.

From $US389 per person.

www.sanctuaryretreats.com

Harmony Hill Wellness and Organic Spa, Hobart, Australia

Designed by owner Ami Nakamura using Feng Shui principles, Harmony Hill is sanctuary where rebalancing and re-energizing are a given. Ami makes all of the spas 100 per cent Australian certified organic products on-site. Treatments include iridology, kinesiology, Ayurveda, lymphatic drainage and chi energy healing. “This is not a traditional hotel or resort spa,” she says. “We focus on alternative therapies to offer a holistic health experience and we do not use chemicals for the extraction of ingredients and nutrients.”

Treatments start at $AU140

www.organicspa-retreat.com

Thermae Bath Spa, Bath, England

Travel to the heart of the historic city of Bath to bathe in the naturally warm, mineral-rich waters just as the Celts and Romans did nearly 2,000 years ago. Britians original natural thermal spa, water here is naturally hot and straight from the earth at 46 degrees centigrade. It also boasts more than 40 minerals and trace elements. Other highlights include an open-air rooftop pool with views of the city and surrounding hills, steam-rooms, relaxation areas and more than 50 complementary therapies and treatments.

Treatments start at

Low-level radiation is a silent killer, because we cant see it, feel I, hear it, taste it, or smell it. I am not talking about just nuclear weapons, but rather the low levels of exposure we are continuously exposed to on an every day basis. This post is dedicated to a friend of mine, and was born out of my concern for her, as she flies often.

First off, what is radiation? In the broadest definition, it is the process in which the energy in the form of, for instance, light or heat, is sent out through space. The different types of radiation are classified according to the electromagnetic spectrum by their wavelength and frequency. One end of the spectrum is the “low energy” forms of radiation, which include radio and television waves. These forms have long wavelengths and low frequencies. As we go up the spectrum and the wavelengths become shorter and the frequencies higher, the spectrum expands to include microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultra-violet light, x-rays, and gamma rays. When me move towards this high end of the spectrum, the radiation energies have a special power known as ionization. X-rays and gamma rays, when they pass through a cell, can separate electrons from their atoms and endow these runaway electrons with higher amounts of energy. The result may be tissue damage in many different forms-from cancer to genetic and birth defects.

What are sources of radiation in our lives? Nuclear weapons and nuclear waste is one obvious source. Radon is another. But what I want to really talk about today is everyday, low-level forms of radiation, which emanate from such devices as microwaves, high-voltage power lines, radio transmitters, and cell phones. For years, our society has maintained that exposure to low levels of electromagnetic waves are harmless, but evidence is mounting that all this exposure to low-level radiation is indeed much more harmful that previously thought.

What is also a major source of radiation exposure? Flying in an airplane. The higher up the plane goes in the atmosphere the more radiation we are exposed to. In a flight from (only!) Los Angeles to San Fancisco there is said to be a tenfold increase in radiation (as measured by a mini-Geiger counter) that jumps from 12 to 125 radiations per minute when the plan is leveled off at the maximum flight pattern.

What does this really mean? An airplane flying coast to coast will expose the flyer to several hundred milliards (1/1000 of a rad). The average dose for medical X-rays is 300-500 millirads for pelvic X-rays, 100-1000 millirads for a full facial dental X-ray, and 10-500 millirads for chest X-rays. That means that one single flight may expose us to the same or possibly more radiation than a full chest X-ray(!).

This is a big problem because as we know, continual exposure to low-level radiation produces free radicals, a major cause of premature aging and health problems. Free radicals can cause cross-linking among tissue proteins (wrinkles!), inflammation, disrupt and/or deplete the immune system, and can produce mutations. Many researchers in the field of aging agree that free-radical destruction is the basis of aging, or at least always goes along with the aging process.

Dr. Abram Petkau stated (reported from the Radiological Physics Dept. at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine) that the free-radical effect from chronic low radiation exposure to be 1,000 times greater than a single large exposure (!). John Gofman, Ph.D., M.D writes in Radiation and Human Health, “Harm in the form of excess human cancer occurs at all doses of ionizing radiation, down to the lowest conceivable dose and dose rate.” Perhaps the most succinct summary is given by Dr. Karl Z. Morgan, who was the director of the Health Physics Division a the Oak Ridge National Laboratory for 30 years:

“There is no safe level of exposure and there is no dose of radiation so low that the risk of malignancy is zero… the genetic risks, and especially those associated with recessive mutations, may be as harmful and debilitating to the human race as the increases of cancer.”

THERE IS SOMETHING WE CAN DO

Okay, sorry for all the doom and gloom! But I say these things as we should at least be aware of radiation exposure.

And I am happy to say that there are things we can do in our diet to help minimize the effect of radiation. How can food help? Firstly, if we have enough minerals in our system, the cells become saturated with minerals and there may be less opportunity for the radioactive minerals to be absorbed into our systems. Second, there are certain specific foods which can actively help draw the radioactive materials to them and pull them out of the body (chelation). Thirdly, if we eat foods very high in antioxidant nutrients and enzymes, it will help squash out the free radicals created by radiation exposure.

Anti-Radiation Foods that Fit into Our Above Criteria

Swiss chard
Turnip greens
Watercress
Mustard greens
Kale
Spinach (no surprise here, all greens!)
Kelp
Dulse
Chlorella
Nori
Beets
Bee pollen
Garlic
Apples
Chaparral
Siberian ginseng

What else can we do besides loading up on these foods? Dont smoke! Dont live near nuclear plants, avoid unnecessary diagnostic X-rays, and use infrared saunas whenever possible. Check out my post on cell phones, and wear that wired (not Bluetooth) headset.

It is critical if you fly often that you eat only the best food while flying on the day. You want to give your body the best to help combat the radiation as much as possible.

Be aware, and take care.

Flying to Paradise a Big Beauty Hazard by Kimberley Snyder.

Kimberly Snyders work as a clinical nutritionist is rooted in a holistic approach that works to heal the body from the cellular level up, increase energy, and achieve overall balance naturally. Her main protocols include increasing the bodys alkalinity, consuming an individualized diet largely consisting of natural foods, increasing efficient digestion, and intelligent, guided and ongoing cleansing. Snyders philosophy is that Outer Beauty is a Reflection of Inner Health.

Snyder is a go-to nutritionist for many top celebrities in Hollywood, spending about one week a month in LA. She is a reoccurring guest and nutrition correspondent on Good Morning America, E! That Morning Show, regional morning shows like Good Day LA, and for US Weekly.

Main image courtesy nathanmac87
Diagram courtesy www.ux1.eiu.edu

I heart the holidays and I love to travel. But there’s no doubting the menu options for vegetarians and vegans can be a little limited.

In a quest to visit just about every continent on earth (still quite a few to go, mind you) we at The Green Dove often refer to the travel-fabulous ResponsibleTravel.com, an earth-friendly company that keeps the animal and earth-loving lot very much in mind when it comes to making travel plans. To date, they have 33 vegetarian and vegan destinations on their books, which you can check out at the click of a mouse.

From a Pyrenees caravan park to bed and breakfast accommodation in Cornwall, this fab site is a must for any vegetarian or vegan adventurer or rest-and-relaxation seeker.

Booking a vegetarian or vegan holiday means you can relax, rather than trying to explain your dietary requirements in (possibly) another language.

A must-visit includes eco accommodation in Ventimiglia on the Italian Riviera. Be sure to write!

If you’re planning a trip to San Francisco, be sure to check out (or into) the Orchard Garden Hotel, one of California’s greenest.

As proud sister to the award-winning Orchard Hotel, the $25 million Orchard Garden, this boutique accommodation is a short stroll from Union Square shops and theatres, blocks away from the Financial District dealmakers and San Franciscos famous cable cars, and just steps from the Chinatown Gates.

As one of the State’s first hotels built to the specifications of the “Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design” (LEED

Tourism Western Australia and responsibletravel.com are creating an insider’s guide to Western Australia (WA), including the best sustainable tours and places to stay and travel secrets from locals. They are also searching for the best travel tips and photos from anyone who has traveled in Western Australia to be part of this online guide.

The best tip or photo will win a place in the guide and a signed print of their choice from world renowned wildlife photographer Andy Rouse, who had his first taste of Western Australia earlier this year. His tips on visiting Western Australia’s Ningaloo Reef will also be part of the guide. The runner up will win a signed copy of Andy’s Living Landscapes book.

Western Australia is Australia’s largest state, taking up almost a third of the country – and in many ways it is also the most undiscovered. Geographers are still mapping islands off the northwest coast; scientists are still discovering new species of flora and fauna and traditionally tourists headed east. This means its 12,500km of pearly-white coastline, rugged outback and lush forests teaming with rare wildlife are unspoiled and travelers can often experience the extraordinary scenery all to themselves.

The insider’s guide, which will launch on November 9, highlights the best natural and cultural experiences in Western Australia, from camping in national parks and swimming with turtles at Ningaloo Reef to learning more about the aboriginal heritage which surrounds the ochre and black stripped domes of the Bungle Bungles. It goes beyond a normal guide with video and podcasts featuring insider tips from locals on where to go and what to do.

All accommodation and tours featured are selected on the basis of a rigorous responsible travel policy and ability to offer a distinctive travel experience that benefits the local community, while sustaining the area’s natural and cultural heritage.

Christie Lord, Tourism Western Australia’s UK Marketing Manager added: “Tourists increasingly want more authentic and locally distinctive holiday experiences. We want to bring together insider knowledge from locals with advice from other travelers to help tourists to discover Western Australia’s best experiences. Whether it’s the best snorkeling spot on Ningaloo Reef or an amazing local restaurant, it’s about having an unforgettable experience which also benefits local communities and supports conservation.”

To enter, got to the competition page on IKnowAGreatPlace.com, add your tips and insider knowledge or upload your favorite snaps. When choosing tags, make sure you include Western Australia competition under ‘Select activities’. If you are not already a member, registering is free and easy. Closing date for competition is midnight this Friday November 5. Entries will be judged on originality and insight.

The worlds first non-profit and luxury eco-resort community, which will commit 100 per cent of operating profits to environmental protection and social improvements, is set to be built on a 124 acre private island in the Calamianes archipelago, at the northernmost tip of the Palawan Biosphere Reserve in the Philippines.

The Cacao Pearl will occupy an entire private island, with 124 acres of lush rainforest and towering coconut trees fringed with over a mile of pristine beaches, according to its operator, Cacao Resorts. This new approach to resort-communities is nestled within the eco-tourism destination of Palawan, Philippines, a stunning eco preservation area within sailing distance of two UNESCO World heritage sites & four marine reserves.

An eco-chic low-density boutique resort concept, The Cacao Pearl is promising sustainable development and sustainable enjoyment – designer homes with zero carbon cost, five star service, an infinity pool, wreck and reef diving, a secluded destination spa, organic gardens and bar, restaurant, private media rooms and designer details.

“Forget old luxury, welcome green luxury!” said Joel Cere, CEO of Cacao Resorts. “Cacao Resorts is offering eco-aware urban escapees the luxury of private island home ownership with the launch of a truly guilt-free investment: The Cacao Pearl, Palawan.”

“In a world of homogenous, over-developed concrete destinations, disinterested developers, fake themes and over-priced mini-bars, token green gestures and disenfranchised communities, Cacao Resorts provide an authentic experience for the grown-up backpacker, a guilt-free option for the traveler with conscience, a breath of fresh tropical air for sophisticated urban escapees.” Designed exclusively for Cacao Resorts by former film art director, Antonio Calvo (“Love Actually,” “Alexander”, “Pride & Prejudice”.) 60 off-plan private residences are available to investors, who want to own a chic eco-home with a conscience and investment-grade security with an option to buy, re-sell or rent.

Cacao Resorts operates a “greenprint” for operations and, with development partners Barefoot Investments and Abode Management, benefit from sustainable construction methods employed, ethical management practice observed, and ecologically responsible operations as standard.

That means 100% renewable energy, and for the first time in the hospitality industry, 100% of the resorts net operating profits will be used to support local environmental and social programs.

Priority is given to buyers with more than just a financial interest in the adventure: “We are now accepting interested buyers for our guilt-free residences in South East Asia,” added Cere.

Before heading off on your green adventure, check out these environmentally friendly sites to ensure you’ve thought of everything for a healthy and conscious travel experience.

GREEN LUXURY

Greenspot.travel designs green adventure and luxury trips to Costa Rica, Panama, El Salvador, and Nicaragua while only using eco-friendly hotels and lodging. “Our selection of .travel as an integrated component of our name and brand, combined with todays very identifiable meaning of the word “green” allows travelers to easily relate our purpose and offerings to the type of eco-friendly trip they are looking for, and greatly eases our ability to be seen in the green travel space online,” says Richard Edwards Co-Founder of Greenspot.travel.

CARBON REDUCTION

ReduceMyFootprint.travel is a carbon reduction program set up by Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) in conjunction with the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO). ReduceMyFootprint.travel estimates ones carbon footprint and helps one take action to reduce it. “As a trade organization, it is our corporate responsibility to educate consumers and trade businesses that the decision to travel needs to be part of the carbon emissions equation,” stated Keith Richards, Head of Business Development and Consumer Affairs at ABTA. “Everything we do on this Earth leaves a carbon footprint, but the efforts to offset that footprint are the difference.”

SEAL OF APPROVAL

GreenGlobe.travel offers the Green Globe Certification seal, which provides a distinguished promotional tool to reach a growing environmentally-aware global consumer market. Through Green Globes system, properties are updated and evaluated on a constant basis to ensure the highest international standards. Third-party auditors work on-site, performing evaluation, implementation, solution-finding and training. Once approved, the properties receive the Green Globe Certification seal demonstrating each travel providers environmentally friendly services.

CLIMATE SOLUTION GATEWAY

Another environment friendly website, ClimateSolutions.travel aims to be the central gateway for information on solutions available to help the tourism sector respond to climate change. Created by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), anyone may register for free and share solutions in the global effort towards preserving the environment.

]]> http://thegreendove.com/2009/08/get-clicking-for-conscious-travel/feed/ 0 http://thegreendove.com/2009/07/eco-travel-tips/ http://thegreendove.com/2009/07/eco-travel-tips/#comments Mon, 20 Jul 2009 15:50:58 +0000 The Dove http://thegreendove.com/?p=1788

Wondering how small changes can make a big difference? Individually, they may not. But when enough of us make the changes we will make the world a more livable, sustainable place–and enjoy ourselves while we’re at it.

1. Go before you go.
If you want to avert a little CO₂, use the airport lavatory, not the one on the plane, since, believe it or not, the fuel used for every mile-high flush could run a car for six miles. Plus, who doesn’t want to avoid the cramped, nasty-smelling airplane bathroom?

2. Do not disturb (the Earth, that is).
Four-star green hotels show that eco-friendly doesn’t mean cockroach-friendly. You’ll get efficient lighting and water fixtures, alternative fuel vehicles, and recycling. If 10,000 people stay at hotels with efficient toilets, faucets and showerheads, each night we’ll save enough water to fill 11,263 whirlpool bathtubs.

3. Lighten your eco-baggage.
Most luggage contains eco-unfriendly materials (like the plastic PVC, which lets off cancer-causing chemicals during production) that make us want to avoid the baggage carousel at all costs. Divine Caroline has durable, just as attractive options in the bag, made from materials like veggie-tanned leather and hemp.

4. Your hybrid, sir.
Wanna get chauffeured around in eco-style? Even airport car services are going green, with hybrid or alternative fuel vehicles available in many cities across the country. If 10,000 people opt for a Prius car service for a twenty-mile trip, we’ll keep the weight of 76 Priuses in CO₂ from entering the atmosphere.

5. An appointment with the eco-shrink.
If skyscrapers and concrete are driving you crazy, maybe it’s time to take a trip outside. One study found that post-op patients who had a view of trees needed fewer painkillers and had shorter hospital stays, so a little dose of the great outdoors could be nature’s Rx. Plus, trips like hiking and camping tend to be less expensive and more relaxing — ahhh.

6. White powder, green resorts.
When it’s ski season, greener winter wonderlands exist in the form of eco-ski resorts. Realizing that global warming could cause shorter seasons, resorts are teaming up to go green, providing alternative fuel shuttles, introducing recycling programs, and installing solar panels.

7. Skip the plastic bottled water.
Americans use 4 million plastic bottles every hour–but only 1 in 4 is recycled. When on the go or in-flight, make sure to fill up a reusable bottle at the airport or in your hotel room, because believe it or not, bottled water isn’t always cleaner, and the production, shipment, and disposal of plastic water bottles are taking an enormous toll on the environment. Check out non-leaching, stainless steel SIGG bottles.

8. When nature calls.
Want to go wild on your next getaway? Choose from a huge variety of eco-adventures that get you off the beaten path, are sustainable, and support local economies. Not just for campers, you have the option of staying at boutique green hotels.

9. Chill out; get eco-pampered.
Rejuvenating, organic-oil aromatherapy and purifying enzyme baths sound like your thing? Check out an eco-spa. Eco-spas use non-toxic and biodegradable products on your bod, and some spas are even built using sustainable materials. The best eco-spas pay their workers fair wages and use non-toxic chemicals to clean their facilities.

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