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"Look - it's a bird, it's a plane ... no, it's EcoGirl!"

Ask EcoGirl A syndicated eco-advice column Written by Patricia Dines "Encouraging the eco-hero in everyone!" "Making it easy to be green!"

Ask EcoGirl's newest column is available The newest Ask EcoGirl has been released and is ready for your viewing. Water, Water, Everywhere! (March 2014) One of the unexpected positive aspects of our current drought for me has been seeing so many people invite and welcome the rain. I love watching us remember how essential water is, which we can easily forget in times of plenty. I hope that in this moment we'll expand ourselves to habitually cherish this vital element of our existence. To help you do that, this month's column offers six big picture ways that each of us can joyfully align our lives more with water's ways -- and, through that, protect it for ourselves, our ecosystems, and generations to come. You can read this column in the March issue of the Sonoma County Gazette, or at www.patriciadines.info/EcoGirl7e.html. (The webpage has lots of additional useful information, resources, and links.) I invite you to let me know if the ideas in this column, or any of my pieces, is helpful to you. It always encourages me to hear what's working for folks! You can also email your questions about going green to <EcoGirl [at] AskEcoGirl.info> for possible inclusion in future columns. I also invite you to Like "Ask EcoGirl" on Facebook, to show your support and get this high-quality information in your Newsfeed! Join at www.facebook.com/AskEcoGirl. You can also click on Published Columns to see all previous columns. Reader feedback "Anyone who is interested in preserving our earth, its creatures, their habitats, and well-being for all should be an EcoGirl fan!" Debra Birkinshaw, Boardmember, Peace & Justice Center; Member, Green Sangha Sonoma County "Excellent articles Patricia -- and fun to read! Congratulations on the colorful front page placement and thanks for continuing to make a difference for the masses by educating via your passion and talent for writing. EcoGirl will soon be flying into other communities and publications, I can feel it. Good luck with her." Melissa Weaver, Educator, Enhanced Health Systems

Ask EcoGirl's newest column is available The newest Ask EcoGirl has been released and is ready for your viewing. Keeping Your Clothes Out of the Trash (January 2014) A reader asks what he can do with his unwanted clothes, to keep them out of the landfill. That's important because Americans today throw out 85% of our clothes and textiles, trashing 13 million tons a year. Plus, the production of our clothes causes harm to both our health and environment in many ways. So it's vital that we make full use of each item. In this column, I share my system for doing this by establishing easy everyday habits. Plus I offer key resources and ideas to guide and inspire your actions on this path. You can read this column in the January issue of the Sonoma County Gazette, or at www.patriciadines.info/EcoGirl7d.html. (The webpage has additional information and links.) I invite you to let me know if the ideas in this column, or any of my pieces, is helpful to you. It always encourages me to hear what's working for folks! You can also email your questions about going green to <EcoGirl [at] AskEcoGirl.info> for possible inclusion in future columns. I also invite you to Like "Ask EcoGirl" on Facebook, to show your support and get this high-quality information in your Newsfeed! Join at www.facebook.com/AskEcoGirl. You can also click on Published Columns to see all previous columns.

Ask EcoGirl's newest column is available The newest Ask EcoGirl has been released and is ready for your viewing. Savoring the Gift of Local Organic (November 2013) As the winter holidays come around again, I encourage you to include the bountiful and nourishing Mother Earth in your seasonal embrace. Among the items on my eco-gratitude list are the gift of local organic foods. I love how they fill my body with health and aliveness! Plus I'm thrilled to support local eco-farmers and ecosystems. Even better, I'm grateful that this simple (and delicious!) act helps us address the serious problems in our current food system that are harming our health, communities, and planet. Learn more about this easy way you can be part of the solution, why it matters so much -- and why it's vital to buy both local and organic!   You can read this column in the November issue of the Sonoma County Gazette, or at www.patriciadines.info/EcoGirl7c.html. Plus that webpage has information about sending questions to EcoGirl, receiving email alerts for future columns, and including the informative and empowering EcoGirl column in your periodical. Click on Published Columns to see all previous columns -- and future possible ones. Your input and requests are most welcome!

Ask EcoGirl's newest column is available The newest Ask EcoGirl has been released and is ready for your viewing. Building Effective Community Teams (October 2013) Community groups are an essential tool in our work of reclaiming our health, communities, and planet. That's because they help us gather together the "people power" that's needed for bigger changes. And I'm grateful for folks who participate in them. However, they often can have negative dynamics that discourage participation and harm results. Unfortunately, it only takes one person playing by abusive covert Machiavellian rules to spoil the whole project. We can create healthier dynamics, but only if everyone pitches in. I've experienced a wide range of groups, including some amazing teams, and ones that could've been great. From these and other experiences, I've developed what I think are key tips for creating happy interactions, efficient productivity, and meaningful results.   You can read this column in the October issue of the Sonoma County Gazette, or at www.patriciadines.info/EcoGirl7b.html. Plus that webpage has information about sending questions to EcoGirl, receiving email alerts for future columns, and including the informative and empowering EcoGirl column in your periodical.

Ask EcoGirl's newest column is available The newest Ask EcoGirl has been released and is ready for your viewing. The Art of the Yard Sale (August 2013) If you were thinking about hosting a yard sale this year -- there's still time! Yard sales are a great way to lighten your load, make a little cash, connect with neighbors, and make full use of your discards -- even those items that thrift stores won't take. So how can you hold a successful event? Here are some of the key techniques that I've developed over the years, which can help you save time, attract more visitors, pass along more goodies, earn more money -- and have more fun!   You can read this column in the August issue of the Sonoma County Gazette, or at www.patriciadines.info/EcoGirl7a.html. Plus that webpage has information about sending questions to EcoGirl, receiving email alerts for future columns, and including the informative and empowering EcoGirl column in your periodical.

Ask EcoGirl's newest column is available The newest Ask EcoGirl has been released and is ready for your viewing. The Rebel & The Status Quo (June 2013) Often people see themselves as primarily either a traditional rule-follower or a rebel change-agent. Then they can harshly judge other people who they see as being in the other camp. How much time have we spent fighting in this dynamic? However, EcoGirl feels that both these urges are within all of us, that both these roles can bring positive contributions -- and that both can be expressed in negative ways too! By stepping back and getting a better understanding of each of these roles -- and how they can give their gifts more constructively -- we can break free of the harmful part of this pattern and greatly improve the level of our outcomes, both personally and collectively. That's because this understanding can help us be more empathetic of others, bridge viewpoints, combine the value of change and tradition, reduce unnecessary conflicts, and create smarter integrated solutions for our future. Read this piece to explore these ideas further!   You can read this column in the June issue of the wonderful Sonoma County Gazette, or at www.patriciadines.info/EcoGirl6m.html. Plus that webpage has information about sending questions to EcoGirl, receiving email alerts for future columns, and including the informative and empowering EcoGirl column in your periodical.

Ask EcoGirl's newest column is available The newest Ask EcoGirl has been released and is ready for your viewing. Action Groups: The First Meeting (May 2013) Protecting our individual well-being must include acting at the community level, because sometimes that's the best, or even only path, to solution. And community action groups can help us amplify our power there. However, people often start action groups without realizing that they require specific skills. Even folks experienced in other aspects of community work can make basic avoidable errors that harm their cause and rebuff interested people. To help community groups get started on a good foundation, EcoGirl offers her list of six key first meeting errors, and their remedies. May they help improve our overall results!   You can read this column in the May issue of the wonderful Sonoma County Gazette, or at www.patriciadines.info/EcoGirl6k.html. Plus that webpage has information about sending questions to EcoGirl, receiving email alerts for future columns, and including the informative and empowering EcoGirl column in your periodical.

Ask EcoGirl's newest column is available The newest Ask EcoGirl has been released and is ready for your viewing. Standing Up to Stop Fluoridation (April 2013) Unfortunately, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors recently took another step towards fluoridating our precious local water supply, even after many community members waited hours on a workday to speak against it. Certainly, the proponent claims for community water fluoridation (CWF) seem appealing, and I think many folks wish that it actually were an easy remedy for community dental health. However, that's not what the science shows, and it's vital that we be willing to look beneath the PR claims. And if we want CWF stopped, we're going to need to build a much larger public outcry against it, and within the next few months. Otherwise, we'll be the ones paying the price -- in our health, environment, and pocketbooks. Learn more of the key facts, with citations, in this column.   You can read this column in the April issue of the wonderful Sonoma County Gazette, or at www.patriciadines.info/EcoGirl6j.html. Plus that webpage has information about sending questions to EcoGirl, receiving email alerts for future columns, and including the informative and empowering EcoGirl column in your periodical. Click on Published Columns to see all previous columns -- and future possible ones. Your input and requests are most welcome!

Ask EcoGirl's newest column is available The newest Ask EcoGirl has been released and is ready for your viewing. Skillful Aim For Your Eco-Message (March 2013) Eco-writing doesn't have to be depressing. In fact, it's more effective when it's not! In this column, EcoGirl lists what she sees as the top harmful eco-communication approaches -- and the key principles we can use instead to encourage cheerful, constructive, and effective eco-action.   You can read this column in the March issue of the wonderful Sonoma County Gazette, or at www.patriciadines.info/EcoGirl6i.html. Plus that webpage has information about sending questions to EcoGirl, receiving email alerts for future columns, and including the informative and empowering EcoGirl column in your periodical.

Ask EcoGirl's newest column is available The newest Ask EcoGirl has been released and is ready for your viewing. Should We Fluoridate Our Water? (February 2013) Over the past few years, a controversy has been brewing in Sonoma County over the proposed addition of fluoride to the water supply for most of our homes, schools, businesses, and restaurants. This issue is coming before the Board of Supervisors again in the next month or two. But isn't fluoride a good thing? The well-meaning proponents do make appealing claims of public dental health benefits, especially for lower-income people. Unfortunately, though, these claims don't match the facts. This isn't the quick fix some want it to be! In this article, EcoGirl outlines what she sees as the core problems with fluoridation, and hopes that this helps Sonoma County reject it and pursue more sensible solutions. (This online version also includes additional supporting data and source links.) You can read this column in the Feb. issue of the wonderful Sonoma County Gazette, or at www.patriciadines.info/EcoGirl6h.html. Plus that webpage has information about sending questions to EcoGirl, receiving email alerts for future columns, and including the informative and empowering EcoGirl column in your periodical.

Ask EcoGirl's newest column is available The newest Ask EcoGirl has been released and is ready for your viewing. Supporting Effective Eco-Action (January 2013) To protect ourselves and our families, it's vital that we integrate smart eco-behaviors into our everyday lives. However, not every problem can be addressed at an individual level. Thus we also need to regularly support community-level actions. In this column, EcoGirl talks about how we can easily fit that into our busy lives -- and help produce tangible and meaningful results that benefit everyone -- and our shared future. By joining our efforts together, we amplify our power to create a better world! You can read this column in the Jan. issue of the wonderful Sonoma County Gazette, or at www.patriciadines.info/EcoGirl6g.html. Plus that webpage has information about sending questions to EcoGirl, receiving email alerts for future columns, and including the informative and empowering EcoGirl column in your periodical.

Ask EcoGirl's newest column is available The newest Ask EcoGirl has been released and is ready for your viewing. What Do We Do Now About GMOs? (December 2012) Unfortunately, California Proposition 37 (GMO labeling) didn't win this election -- largely because of well-funded opposition ads full of GMO manufacturer lies. However, Prop. 37 did succeed in getting over six million votes and alerted many more people to the experimental and hazardous GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) that are increasingly being put into our mainstream food supply. It's exciting to see how many people want to keep taking action against these largely-untested "novel" materials that are putting at risk our food, health, farms, communities, and environment. In this key column, EcoGirl suggests the key priority actions we can take to stand up for our well-being -- plus a few suggested actions that she advises we skip. Please share this with your friends and allies! You can read this column in the Dec. issue of the wonderful Sonoma County Gazette, or at www.patriciadines.info/EcoGirl6f.html. Plus that webpage has information about sending questions to EcoGirl, receiving email alerts for future columns, and including the informative and empowering EcoGirl column in your periodical.

Announcing a new feature: Ask EcoGirl Themes! In addition to looking at past EcoGirl in chronological order, you can now also look at them grouped into Themes! This makes it easier to see what columns are most in your area of interest. Click on Published Columns to see both options, ready for you to explore!

Ask EcoGirl's newest column is available The newest Ask EcoGirl has been released and is ready for your viewing. Everyday Green: A Pop Quiz (November 2012) This month, EcoGirl flips the format and asks her readers the eco-questions. Yup, it's time for a Pop Quiz! Here's your chance to see thebigger picture of how you're doing in some key green arenas -- and maybe identify some upgrade opportunties. You can also compare your scores with your family and friends, for a little competitive fun! You can read this column in the Nov. issue of the wonderful Sonoma County Gazette, or at www.patriciadines.info/EcoGirl6e.html. Plus that webpage has information about sending questions to EcoGirl, receiving email alerts for future columns, and including the informative and empowering EcoGirl column in your periodical.

Ask EcoGirl's newest column is available The newest Ask EcoGirl has been released and is ready for your viewing. October 2012: Vote Yes on Prop. 37 for Labeling of GMO Foods As expected, the GMO manufacturers have been spending millions of advertising dollars to try to talk voters out of our right to know if GMOs are in our foods. Don't be distracted by their deceptions! The truth is that California Proposition 37 is not complicated or expensive. It will just offer consumers the same right to choose that's enjoyed by people in nearly 50 countries around the world -- 40% of the world's population. People have worked for years to finally give us this opportunity in the U.S. Let's make sure it succeeds. Read this column for the key information to know -- and share it with your friends! You can read this column in the Oct. issue of the wonderful Sonoma County Gazette, or at www.patriciadines.info/EcoGirl6d.html. Plus that webpage has information about sending questions to EcoGirl, receiving email alerts for future columns, and including the informative and empowering EcoGirl column in your periodical.

Ask EcoGirl's newest column is available The newest Ask EcoGirl has been released and is ready for your viewing. September 2012: Stand Up for GMO Labeling Coming soon, Californians will have a unique and precious opportunity to stand up for our right to know when our foods contain experimental and hazardous GMOs (aka Genetically Modified Organisms). These hidden materials are shown to harm our health, environment, farms, and communities. Over 40 other countries have GMO labeling. So why don't we? Plus labeling in California will likely open the door to better protections across the U.S. But standing in the way of labeling is expected to be a serious GMO manufacturer propaganda onslaught. To keep this from working, we all need to educate/innoculate ourselves and others on this essential topic! To learn what you can do, read this handy summary and share it with others -- especially in California. This is a key moment on a vital issue! You can read this column in the Sept. issue of the wonderful Sonoma County Gazette, or at www.patriciadines.info/EcoGirl6c.html. Plus that webpage has information about sending questions to EcoGirl, receiving email alerts for future columns, and including the informative and empowering EcoGirl column in your periodical.

Ask EcoGirl's newest column is available The newest Ask EcoGirl has been released and is ready for your viewing. August 2012: Eco-Organizing Your Stuff One of my life's personal pleasures and challenges has been that I tend to collect a variety of cool things. It's not that I bring so many items home (well, except paper information), but that I tend to keep them longer to get full use out of them. It's been helpful for me to understand that this keeper side of me comes from some beautiful qualities in me, including curiosity, passion, caring, respect, remembering -- and my eco-values! And I notice that other eco-allies are often savers too. But how can we manage these valued treasures skillfully so that we're not mistaken for hoarders? Eek! I offer here the key tips I've developed for myself over the years, presented in an empowering and compassionate eco-perspective. (The website has more tips and resources beyond the print column.) You can read this column in the August issue of the wonderful Sonoma County Gazette, or at www.patriciadines.info/EcoGirl6b.html. Plus that webpage has information about sending questions to EcoGirl, receiving email alerts for future columns, and including the informative and empowering EcoGirl column in your periodical.

Ask EcoGirl's newest column is available The newest Ask EcoGirl has been released and is ready for your viewing. July 2012: Building the Electric Highway As we consider how to better align our activities with the planet's ways and our true shared best interests, a vital but challenging question is how to avoid the harm caused by our petroleum-powered vehicles. One key solution is electric vehicles (EVs), including plug-in hybrids, which can avoid emissions and access eco-friendly energy as it's increasingly put into the electric grid. EVs are finally becoming more available. Learn more about how Sonoma County and California folks are supporting this vision by investing in public charging stations, and thus helping build our electric highway! (Plus EcoGirl is celebrating her 5th anniversary. Woo hoo!) You can read this column in the July issue of the wonderful Sonoma County Gazette, or at www.patriciadines.info/EcoGirl6a.html. Plus that webpage has information about sending questions to EcoGirl, receiving email alerts for future columns, and including the informative and empowering EcoGirl column in your periodical.

Ask EcoGirl's newest column is available The newest Ask EcoGirl has been released and is ready for your viewing. June 2012: Greening Your Summer Vacation Summer's here! And with that comes the delight of summer vacations. So how can you honor the earth during your travels? EcoGirl maps it out for you! In this column, she outlines the key principles to keep in mind overall, then identifies specific tangible ways that you can joyfully implement them in your destination choice, lodging, transportation, and activities. Included are a variety of specific options in Sonoma County and the San Francisco North Bay, as well as general resources such as eco-car rental links. You can read this column in the June issue of the wonderful Sonoma County Gazette, or at www.patriciadines.info/EcoGirl5i.html. Plus that webpage has information about sending questions to EcoGirl, receiving email alerts for future columns, and including the informative and empowering EcoGirl column in your periodical.

Ask EcoGirl's newest column is available The newest Ask EcoGirl has been released and is ready for your viewing. April 2012: Reclaiming Our Shared Power We all certainly at times can feel hopeless about all the horrible things happening in the world, and wonder if we really can do anything to make a difference. But EcoGirl believes that we have much more power to impact our world and our future than we realize -- as consumers, workers, citizens, and community members. In this column, she gives four key steps for reclaiming that power, in joyful and constructive ways. How exhilarating! You can read this column in the April issue of the wonderful Sonoma County Gazette, or at www.patriciadines.info/EcoGirl5h.html. Plus that webpage has information about sending questions to EcoGirl, receiving email alerts for future columns, and including the informative and empowering EcoGirl column in your periodical.

Ask EcoGirl's newest column is available The newest Ask EcoGirl has been released and is ready for your viewing. March 2012: Eco-Persuasion It's a question surely faced by anyone who cares for the earth: how do we persuade other people to take action on eco-issue without making ourselves crazy? In this column, EcoGirl describes a tool she's adopted from the marketing domain to help tailor her message for her audience. When we can empathetically meet people where they are, we'll more likely be able to engage with them both respectfully and effectively. You can read this column in the March issue of the wonderful Sonoma County Gazette, or at www.patriciadines.info/EcoGirl5g.html. Plus that webpage has information about sending questions to EcoGirl, receiving email alerts for future columns, and including the informative and empowering EcoGirl column in your periodical.

Click on Published Columns to see all previous columns -- and future possible ones. Your input and requests are most welcome!

Announcing my new "insanely useful" Ask EcoGirl booklets Eco-information is everywhere, but there's way too much to digest. We're all drowning in eco-information -- and our overwhelm can keep us from acting. Where do we start? What are the most useful actions to take? How do we integrate this into our everyday lives? Never fear -- Ask EcoGirl is here! EcoGirl understands -- and comes to the rescue! She does the research for you, pulling together the key information that you need to move into action and get the results you need. This is the fast lane to a healthier life for you and the planet. Booklet titles available * Detoxing Your Life: Assessing & Reducing Your Exposure to Everyday Toxics * Healthier Housecleaning: Easy, Less-toxic, & Cheaper Ways to Create a Sparkling Home To find out how to order your very own copies of these "insanely useful" booklets, and be informed when new ones are released, click here. EcoGirl: Making it easy to be green! Reader feedback "What impresses me is that it is SO comprehensive for such a small booklet. Often I see a flyer on one or two topics, but you have packed so much in this, plus given larger principles about how to think of these things. You give simple suggestions that anyone can follow and move themselves forward in the ecological movement -- and feel good about it.  You make it appealing to do, not a burden." Don Scully, MFT

My TV appearance went great! On Aug. 19, I was a guest on "The View From The Bay," a daily TV talk show on San Francisco's ABC station KGO. It's hosted by Spencer Christian and Janelle Wang and produced live in San Francisco. Being on the show was lots of fun! I was delighted to share both my approach to eco-action (by inspiring and empowering folks to make a difference) and to offer their viewers some easy eco-tips. Plus folks heard about my Ask EcoGirl column and were invited to my presentations at the Napa Fresh Aire Festival, August 28-30. For more about my appearance, including screen shots and a link to the video, see www.patriciadines.info/m_ViewBay081909.html

This entire website is (c) Patricia Dines, 1998-2016. All rights reserved.
Page last updated 4/29/2016
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