"I take 10 minute showers! I'm killing the planet!"

For the past few months I’ve been talking your ear off about why the earth is in trouble and how you can go green to save our environment.  And while it’s great to do whatever you can to protect the planet, there is such a thing as caring a little too much. According to the New York Times, there has been an increasing amount of people that report anxiety and stress because they feel like they are never as green as they would like to be.  And, believe it or not, such anxious thoughts about the environment can have negative impacts on your emotional state, your health, and your relationships.

How do you know if you’re just a concerned citizen or full-blown green stress case?  Read on for the answer and for ways to manage if you’re glowing green just a little too brightly.

Are you green stressed? There’s a huge difference between being concerned and being down right obsessed.  Before you go any further, ask yourself a few questions:  Are you happy with your efforts to help the environment?  Do you feel like you’re doing enough to go green?  Are you willing to give up your green efforts to preserve some of your favorite activities?  If you answered yes to all of these questions, then congrats!  You are helping in a way that is both healthy for the environment and healthy for your well-being.

Didn’t pass the test? Then you may have some anxiety issues related to going green. With all of the information out there, it’s hard to feel like you’re ever doing enough to counteract the rest of the world’s indifference.  Before you start ripping your hair out, realize that this is more of a psychological issue than an environmental issue.  An obsession with going green is just the same as an obsession with losing weight or making money – you never feel like you’re doing enough. Read More »

College brings a whole lot of new experiences, new lessons and new people. But it seems that no matter what school you go to, there are same characters on every campus:

With the Go Green revolution, a lot of us have been making the effort to protect and preserve our environment: trees, animals, reservations. Hemp jewelry is so in right now and vintage is your new passion, right?

Well, guess who’s more passionate than you are? The Neo-hippie, better known as The Empathetic Activist.

The Empathetic Activist feels the pain of the distressed, whether it is animal, mineral or vegetable. When a mouse-trap is set up in the dorms, he or she will be there to protect the rights of our furry friends. When soda cans are thrown in the cafeteria trash, he or she will be there to lecture their peers on the perils of cans in dumps around the world. When a tree is cut down to expand your campus, he or she is there screaming murder through blurred vision…or at least collecting signatures to stop the madness.

The Empathetic Activist cares, but not about material objects. While we’re all spending what little money we have on a spring break wardrobe, the E.A. is perusing the local consignment/ thrift/ vintage shops while munching on some tofu, as he or she is also most likely vegan/vegetarian. (“Animals have rights too!”) And when your favorite neo-hippie is not purchasing vegan Birkenstocks, you will find him or her working for social consciousness, whether it be through debates and discussions with friends or long and heated monologues during class. Read More »

The top 10 moments of the Olympics (though ours include more Speedo).

OMFG! Gossip Girl returns next week! If only we were invited to the party…

A post-workout Starbucks run could be good for your body.

In an effort to Go Green, colleges dump the lunch trays.

Dear Heidi Montag: You are NOT Olivia Newton-John. Love, CC.

Considering a student loan? Think long and hard.

A 4th judge for American Idol?

What does Madonna think of John McCain?

A surprising benefit to the sky-high gas prices.

The endorsements Michael Phelps didn’t choose…

Is Biden the right choice? Let’s see what frat boys have to say…

Julia Child: kitchen goddess and…spy?!

The U.S. is gonna look a lot different…and soon.

Women are taking over the world one random competition at a time.

Who knew college debates could be so exciting?!

Fake boobs on a 14 year old? Only in the Lohan house…

Whenever we are feeling down, we like to remind ourselves how much we have going for us. Like brains.

Put an end to world hunger…with dead rats?

Thank your lucky stars that this girl is not your roommate.

Help this man achieve his lifelong dream!

Universities join the Green movement. Is your school Green?

Looks like Michael Phelps and I are on the same diet.

A daily dose of Olympic Eye Candy

Get ready for Fall fashion with Target’s newest Go! International line.

I’m not the most environmentally responsible person out there. I certainly use my air conditioner a lot and have no problems driving my sister’s ‘regular’ car when I am visiting home. Not everything I buy is organic…the list goes on. However, I am trying to be more responsible every day. I understand that if everyone makes small changes we can truly better the future of this planet. I can contribute to a healthier planet even if I don’t have wind mills powering my house.

For instance, I can turn down plastic bags at the grocery store. And why not? I mean, I have lots of giant purses and some canvas tote bags. I have absolutely no problem shoving my groceries in these bags instead of plastic ones.

So for the better part of this year, I have made this change. And I keep getting treated like an as*hole. Read More »

Go beyond the cruise ship, past the safari, further than you’ve ever gone before… study abroad in the Galapagos with the Isabella Oceanographic Institute (IOI) this year!

This is seriously one of the coolest programs I’ve come across.

1.As they note on their website, teaching inhabitants to conserve is essential to ecological preservation.

My boyfriend’s mom often laments that her twin goals—environmental friendly goods and fair trade seldom coincide for this very reason—local inhabitants often use inefficient and environmentally harmful practices to produce their goods. But honestly who can blame them? Especially given the poverty of these places?

That’s why the IOI’s program is so amazing. You actually get a chance to participate in an environmental program that works with local residents towards ecological preservation. Read More »