In the sinuous road of history, many cultures and civilizations chose to embellish their manicure as a mark of their social status or to symbolize the spirituality or the wealth. Later, the royal colors were changed into gold, silver, red or black, becoming a symbol of the upper class. The wide palette of colors was signifying the social position, so, intense colors were reserved for royalty, while those ranked lower on the social ladder wore pale colors, becoming more discreet.

The nail polish in the variety we know today became famous in the 1920s when experts were inspired on the process of producing nail polish from the range of automotive paint. Existing nail polishes contain chemicals such as toluene, formaldehyde and phthalates.

More and more companies offer a wide range of professional products for manicure, pedicure and nail art which have a common quality. Are Eco-Friendly!

Products such as Honeybee Gardens WaterColors Nail Enamel are renowned for their natural bio- organic qualities, being produced in U.S.A. are available in the 15 nuances and can be removed using a solvent which does not contain acetone or even … with vodka!

Nail Polishes by Peacekeeper are eco- friendly products, wanted by women around the world, becoming famous for their endurance. Peacekeeper donates all the profits, fighting both for women’s health, as well as for other issues of social nature.

Innovative products developed by Suncoat are based on ingredients derived from plant cultures. Moreover, they contain a unique formula based on water, are available in 32 colors, require only one application and have a quick drying capacity.

If you opt for a Toe Shades Natural product you will be astonished to find that the colors will not fade for more than three weeks. It can be said that the nail polish in this range is resistant to the action in time of external factors. It is not necessary to use solvents to remove it! By grinding or peeling will be able to “dissolve” the nail polish. This has a special formula through which nails will not be scratched, will not turn yellow, resorting to homeopathy as a revolutionary alternative to traditional nail polish.

Some studies reveal that such organic cosmetics are especially recommended for pregnant women because it seems that these products are not “bothering” the harmonious development of the fetus.

Maybe the title sounds weird and you will ask yourself what is the connection between the two. Well, in the following, you will see that there is a connection, provided by the green technology to consumers. Eastern Gateway Agency launched its “Eco laundry ball BIOCERA”.

Well, the laundry has evolved. We went slowly from the river laundering to washing in trough, washing machine, dryer and finally to energy efficient washing machine. However, it has appeared increasingly more questions about water pollution, excessive water consumption, of detergent and power. It is time to take decision that, without affecting our comfort, to protect the environment, to offer alternatives to those with sensitive skin and help us save resources. Solutions exist; you just need to be informed and to know that there are choices. One of them is proposed by the Eastern Gateway Agency, exclusive importer of “Eco laundry ball BIOCERA”, which launches the first original solution and alternative for washing clothes.

“Eco laundry ball BIOCERA” represents an organic solution for laundry washing, intended for use in households, in the washing process of washing machines.  It is a new alternative to laundry in a natural, environmentally and economically way, using innovative applications of nanotechnology. It is a product of BIOCERA Co. Ltd., a company founded in 1994 in South Korea, specialized in manufacturing and selling bioceramic balls intended for purification and improvement of water quality.

Consumers begin to choose organic products, for both economic reasons in terms of consumption: energy, water and detergent, but mainly due to the quality of product offered. The quality of BIOCERA products is confirmed by the certificates obtained: ISO 9001, ISO 14001, by FDA (U.S. Federal Drug Administration) international accreditation and especially by the certification attesting invention patents internationally.

The concern for ecology and environmental protection are extremely current and is the duty of every one of us to be concerned about protecting the resources of the planet we live on, because they are, obviously, becoming more limited.

NEC Display Solutions is launching a completely new range of projectors, TCO certified. M Series exceeds NP610 offering outstanding performance and much improved options for energy saving. The new and innovative features are all Eco. For example, the 75% AV Mute function and the first Eco Auto mode projectors from the entire world are reducing significantly the operating costs. In the same time, NEC Display Solutions introduces a new naming concept for its entire range of projectors to make the global portfolio more transparent to its customers.

With a life span of the lamp and filter cleaning to a range of up to 6000 hours plus the innovative features of M Series, users can significantly reduce the total cost of property. The new function 75% AV Mute is enabling the user to disable intuitively the projector by simply pressing the green button which is situated on the remote control through the lens cover. This reduces the lamp power to 75% which significantly lowers the total energy consumption of the projector, resulting an increased lifetime of the lamp.

Using the Auto Eco function, the luminance of the lamp is adjusted automatically to match the submitted content, enabling optimum brightness and maximum energy efficiency, at any time. In addition, some models have two levels of Eco Mode; the new second level is designed for whiteboard applications.

All models from M Series with up to 3500 ANSI lumens have been certified by TCO. With a high quality presentation, projectors are delivering impressive bright images with a XGA (1024 x 768) resolution and (1280 x 800) WXGA resolution, having a 2000:1 contrast ratio which is excellent and up to 4200 ANSI lumens brightness. All models come with 1.7x large optical zoom. The new M Series continues to provide all the advantageous features of previous models, such as the Auto Vertical Keystone, Direct Power On function, and the unique Carbon Savings Meter function.

M Series features enhanced connectivity, with an HDMI input and three USB ports. For users to be able to easily identify the most suitable products, NEC Display Solutions implemented a new naming concept, which will be expanded to cover the entire portfolio of projects. For example, the name “M260X” identifies an M series multimedia projector with a brightness of 2600 ANSI lumens from the first generation with XGA resolution.

We are living in an environment where industrial chemicals are becoming more evident. And part of it affects the hormonal system, under certain conditions. Researchers are looking for solving this problem for over ten years.

Endocrine disorders are caused by certain chemicals, which have the ability to alter the hormonal system, of both humans and animals. The hormonal system governs the majority of the essential functions of the body: fetal and child development, reproduction but especially the immunity system.

A recent study made by the American Academy of Sciences shows that a minuscule amount (a billionth of a gram) from a toxic substance that is located at the exit of water stations for waste is sufficient to cause in only two years the feminization of the male population of fish from a lake until the sterilization. The study also shows that feminized fish populations in rivers of industrialized countries become entire legions, starting with river Seine in France and up to the American river, Potomac. To improve this situation, the solution found- improvement of water treatment- is very expensive, costing about 5 Euros per inhabitant annually in Europe.

Since the early industrial era humanity has unleashed about 100,000 new synthetic chemical compounds. Among them were identified few with obvious effects on the endocrine activity, such as: dioxins (compounds resulted mainly from an industrial process), bisphenol A (found in many plastics, including some baby bottles), phthalates (chemicals found in plastic toys), bromated agents (used in anti-fire textile materials or equipments) and many pesticides.

In Europe, CASCADE Network of Excellence is dealing with problems of food contamination for four years. Prof. Gustafsson says that the first way of exposure the population to endocrine disorders represents the food. The foods, especially ones obtained industrial and to a lesser extent, the drinking water, which is more easily to control, are the main gateways for chemicals into the body. Other researches revealed that in Asia, where soy consumption is higher than in Europe it was found a low incidence of breast cancer, colon or prostatic cancer.

Organic food products have experienced an important development in the last two decades. The care for nature, the delicacy of the natural balance and the multitude of diseases with which human is confronted more and more, tasteless, industrial food, all this led to the formation of an increasingly powerful current, current that wants to restore the respect for nature and its protection.

The organic food product is primarily made ​​from ingredients derived from the organic agriculture. This type of agriculture should follow the principles and rules:

• removing any polluting technologies in an unpolluted area;
• using of varieties and species with high resistance to environmental conditions;
• improving and maintaining natural soil fertility;
• use of fertilizers and soil enhancers, pesticides, raw materials for feed preparation, ingredients for preparing food in accordance with the list of products allowed in organic farming;
• absence of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and the irradiation of plants;
• absence of synthetic chemical additives: preservatives, colorings, flavorings, emulsifiers, acidifying taste hardener, thickener agents.

Organic Food Production aims the achievement of sustainable diversified and balanced agricultural systems and ensures the protection of natural resources and consumer health. The impact of organic production process is minimal.

Taking advantage of the media campaigns that presented food additives as substances hazardous to health, organic products (there are called also ecological or biological product) have gained ever more ground. Organic foods are some diversified and healthy products, free of diseases and pests, with no harmful residues and containing balanced bioactive substances and minerals. These products are derived from green technologies, technologies that do not use chemical fertilizers and pesticides. All these bio-organic technologies are designed to provide the consumer and the processing industry, natural products without chemical residues and especially technologies designed to help the safeguarding of the agricultural ecosystem. The natural product comes from conventional agriculture but on its obtaining are not used synthetic food additives.

Although water is essential for humans, yet we waste it every day, thinking that we have enough. Equally we do with our time! There have appeared many gadgets that promises water-saving but requires complicated assembling or a too long user manual.

We are therefore pleased to hear about WaterPebble, a fantastic gadget, which is teaching us how to save water in the most simple way. It looks like a soap bubble, but placed in the bathtub, it monitors the time spent under the shower, announcing us with a red light when it is time to finish. Every time it is used, gradually reduces the time taken under the shower (with approximately 7 seconds), thus by every passing day the quantity of water that you use will be reduced. Take a step towards an eco life, reduce your water bill and push back the deadline! It’s also more pleasant to be alerted by a gadget that it’s time to get out of the bathroom, than the whole family knocking at the door. It’s also great for kids!

Though it looks very nice, like a soap bubble, WaterPebble is not a toy. You do not to mount the pebble anywhere. All you have to do is to place it in the bathtub. There is no need to switch it on or to stop it. WaterPebble battery will work in normal conditions around 4-6 months and it can be reset anytime you want. Placed in the bath tub, WaterPebble memorizes the duration of the first shower and uses it as a reference point. Before you acknowledge, it will reduce the time wasted under the shower with approx. 6 minutes, saving in average 20 liters of hot water per day per person.

WaterPebble will alert you through a light-indicator how much time you have available. Green means you can start the shower. Orange means you are halfway through resources available. Red means it’s time to turn off the water. The goal is simply to finish the shower before the red light to light up thus setting a new personal record time for shower. Isn’t it funny?

At the beginning of humanity, people had no electricity but they were living healthier, in accordance with the laws of nature, protected by a friendly environment. They knew how to use natural resources for their benefit without harming or damaging the nature. Meanwhile, things have changed and technology has replaced the natural ways of living. Nowadays, people consciously aware of the degree of pollution which is increasingly high, due to my massive industrialization, started environmental education campaigns, considering that one can live comfortably using natural resources rationally and by using inexhaustible natural resources such as sunlight, in their favor.

In 1952, in the Bell Laboratories from Princeton, New Jersey, three researchers have discovered that the sun’s rays falling on silica material is producing electricity. Being very expensive at first, solar cells could be used only for very valuable objectives, such as the power sources of satellites. Also, Pocket calculators are powered by a thin strip of silica.

But at the end of 2000, about 1 million homes around the world were supplied with electricity produced by solar cell plants. This source of energy could become an alternative for those inhabitants of Earth who have no access to electricity or cannot afford electricity. Even now, in Peru, in some villages, families spend about $ 4 per month on candles.

Increased sales of solar cells presented an average of 20% from 1990 to 2000. After the year 2000, this percentage increased sharply to 43%.The leading producers of solar cells are Japan, the United States and European Union. In Japan this industry relies on the financial subsidization for people that are buying this kind of systems. In Germany, this system brings benefits to encourage investors for example uses low-interest loans and bonus offers prices for solar electricity consumers. In the United States are carried programs to install solar cells.

The potential that solar arena has is enormous. Some studies have shown that even in the climate of the British Isles, which is very cloudy, installing solar cells on roofs can produce a quantity equal to half of UK electricity needs. The price of solar cells decreases more and more, so it becomes more accessible.

Research on photoelectric technology optimization takes place in hundreds of laboratories and always are announces different news in this domain, whether it comes to their design, whether it comes to solar cell production technology.

It is important that individuals understand and realize the environmental benefits of these new systems that are substantially reducing the resource consumption.

Nature has always been close to us! Why cannot we be close to it?

Earth is slowly diminishing its resources. That is why all people must take a stand. Even the small gesture of going green is “appreciated” by Mother Nature. If you think that going green seems very difficult, don’t think about big plans at first. The first step you can take is right in your own home. Recycling is a good way to start. That way you will be one of the many people that took a stand, even if it is a small part of what really means to “go green”. Buying and using things that are green will make your life better and you will be appreciated by other people.

If you think hard of how to be clean and green at home you will certainly find more than 26 ways of doing so. The most important thing is that you take it step by step and in the process you can convince other people, such as family, neighbors and friends to do what you do. A small step for you can be a big step for earth. You can also consider the fact that you are not the only one that tries to protect earth and there are a lot of people out there who are also doing the same things as you, so, if you do not know what else you can do to protect earth, you can ask others or you can go online to see what people are saying about this “fashion”.

Among others, you should also know that old windows and doors let the heat out and so you will need to make sure that does not happen. That way, you will conserve energy and this is also a “going green” attitude. As I said, every little gesture counts and this can ensure a better life not only for you, but for everyone on the planet.

Recent research explains why traditional diets are no longer effective:  due to obesity substances contained by the food from “supermarket”. The U.S. government recently announced that it has discovered a new threat to health and safety of Americans. It is not about any aggressive nation or a terrorist organization. We are talking about a class of chemical substances, responsible for the “fattening” of Americans. They are called “endocrine- disrupting chemicals (EDC)” and everyone eats them.

Commission for combating obesity on children from the White House discovered that EDC substances can trigger weight gain and obesity. What does this mean? It means that weight gain is not just about the ratio between calories ingested and calories burned. Obesity cannot be placed ​​solely on account of too much fast food and too little exercises, it must also be taken into account this very dangerous substances. These are synthetic compounds that are working in the body, miming estrogen functions, a female hormone commonly used in medical treatments.

Why traditional diets are not working anymore?

The endocrine system consists from all cells and glands producing hormones, coordinating the activities of the entire body. Growth and development, sexual function, reproductive process, sleep, hunger, stress, metabolism, are all “controlled” by hormones. If you are tall or short, fat or thin it is the effect of your endocrine system activity, a very fine-adjusted activity and that can be easily destabilized.

The effect of EDC substances is why traditional diets are not working anymore. According to experts, it almost is useless to remove from your diet all your favorite foods, burgers, pasta or ice cream.

The four golden rules against EDC

Rule no. 1: Learn when you have to pass on organic

According to recent studies, eating organic five days a week means reducing EDC pesticides from the body to undetectable levels.

Rule no. 2: Do not eat plastic

It’s not about plastic itself, but about the chemicals found in plastic containers. 93% of Americans have detectable levels of bisphenol-A (BPA) in the body, this substance being responsible for gaining weight.

Rule no. 3: Avoid fats

Always choose low-fat meat and that produced without artificial hormones. Grass-fed beef, for example, contains 60% more Omega-3, 200% more vitamin E and three times more linoleic acid, which can help weight loss.

Rule no. 4. Filter the water

The best way to avoid EDC pesticides from tap water is the installation of carbon filters. They usually manage to remove most pesticides and pollutants from water.

A report of the SDC (Sustainable Development Commission), an organization from the United Kingdom of Great Britain recommends the reduction of waste and food rich in fats and sugars. The report recently published by SDC, highlights the fact that the elimination of waste, reducing foods high in fats and sugars, meat and dairy products would have a huge contribution in improving health and reducing the negative impact of the food system on the environment.

Called “Setting the Table” and developed by Defra, the study offers advices to the government in terms of the primordial elements aimed at sustainability and evaluates the impact of changing food consumption patterns on the environment and health. The conclusion reached is that there are numerous evidences that changes in the feeding behavior, that are beneficial to the environment also have the advantage of health and nutrition improvement.

The food grid and eating habits have a significant impact on the environment, also affecting the health. About 18% of the emissions of greenhouse gases from the UK are due to production and food consumption. Also, an estimated 70,000 premature deaths in the Anglo-Saxon country could be avoided if the British people’s diet would be as indicated by the nutritionists.

The SDC study also revealed that by eating fish from reliable, sustainable sources, seasonal eating, avoiding bottled water, purchases made ​​without using cars or Internet, and through the consumption of organic foods, which protects the animals, would contribute greatly to a safer and healthier diet. However, the most important benefits in terms of environment and health are resulting from reducing the consumption of meat, dairy products and eliminating the consumption of foods and beverages with low nutritional content, including those rich in fats and sugars, as well as reducing food waste.

The SDC insists on the government involvement in the issue of food system, which, according to them, should incorporate the criteria set by environmental, and public health, but also the imperative requirement that the public catering sector standards include sustainability criteria. It is also recommended conducting further studies on some “hot spots” in terms of sustainability, including meat, dairy, fish, soy and palm oil, and how different production methods affect the sustainability.

It is true that these things take time to become workable but the active involvement of individuals is the first step towards a healthy environment and healthy living. The way we eat can become a self-destructive element. Also, what we eat can have devastating effects on health. It is necessary to get closer to nature and to what the Earth gives us to reap the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.