Stubborn Suckers – Plastic Straws

Stubborn Suckers – Plastic Straws

On average, each person in the U.S. uses 1.6 plastic straws every day!!! Between the ages of 5-65, this means that about 38,000 straws are used per person. And that’s not counting the paper wrappers!!  By now you may be tempted to order your next drink without a straw.  But lets face it, those suckers are handy.

The environmental impact is disturbing.  Plastic straws are one of the top 10 debris ingested by sea life.

Although many disposable drinking straws are produced with the intention of being recycled (#2 and #5 plastics), they are not. As they are not biodegradable , but photo-degradable, it can take these flimsy straws centuries to break down. In other words, “disposable straws” are not really “disposable”. The majority of them join other plastic products that saturate landfills, or are strewn along roads and beaches, harming wildlife, and ultimately harming us. Many of these straws contain BPA, a known endocrine disruptor. As animals ingest bits of plastic, the BPA accumulates through the food chain ending up on OUR dinner plates and ultimately in our bodies.

http://www.killthecup.com/blog/dining-out-without-the-plastic-guilt

http://www.killthecup.com/blog/dining-out-without-the-plastic-guilt

Read this article: Degradable Plastics: Photo-degradable and Biodegradable

straws collegeThankfully, Norwex has come up with a solution. The Stainless Steel Drinking Straws are people- and wildlife-friendly, a long-lasting alternative to plastic straws. Their sleek and curved design fits most cups and bottles for easy drinking at home or on the go. The pack of 4 will allow you to keep some at home, work and in your car for those impulsive drive-thru days!  This is an easy way to keep your family healthier our beaches/ landfills cleaner.

Want to keep your straws nice and clean?  Norwex has a new Straw Cleaning Brush.

Would you like to learn more?

Watch this:

Did You Know?

    • Straws were originally made from hollow stalks of rye grass.
    • The first straws used commercially were made from paper (which are still available).
    • Most plastic straws are also individually wrapped in paper, which equals more trash.

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Delores VandenBoogaard is an Independent Norwex Sales Consultant from Edmonton, Alberta Canada with customers and consultants throughout Canada and the United States including; New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Prince Edward Island, North West Territories and Ontario. She also has customers and team members in; Michigan, Texas, California, Massachusetts, Florida, Arizona, Missouri, Colorado, North Carolina, South Carolina, Idaho, Washington, New Hampshire, Iowa and Maine.

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Is Your Home a Chemical Free Zone?

Is Your Home a Chemical Free Zone?

When I was pregnant with my eldest daughter, my awareness of the dangerous chemicals that could be in our home and environment was heightened. My desire was to give my young daughters a healthy environment to grow and play in. Not only was I unaware of the magnitude of dangers typical cleaning products held, but I liked how they had made my home smell and feel. The scent had made it feel CLEAN, and eventually, I began to realize that I had affiliated the smell of chemicals with cleanliness. I suppose this makes perfect sense,  as the only way I had been taught to clean was with chemicals. As well as our smell being our strongest of our senses gave me the false sense of, “If it smells clean, then it must be clean!”

Like many, I assumed if these common household products were sold in stores they must have been approved safe to use. However, the skull and crossbones plastered across thousands of cleaning products indicate something different. After doing extensive research on the effects of chemicals in household cleaners, I decided I NEEDED an alternative. That’s when I  discovered Norwex! The CHEMICAL-FREE way to clean. I was thrilled and to further my delight, I discovered hospitals were using them too!  I instantly fell in love with the products and what they were all about. I could not wait to share the fantastic news of a chemical-free-future with others. Read more about my story:  “Why Norwex?”.

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Delores VandenBoogaard is an Independent Norwex Sales Consultant from Edmonton, Alberta Canada with customers and consultants throughout Canada and the United States including; New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Prince Edward Island, North West Territories and Ontario. She also has customers and team members in; Michigan, Texas, California, Massachusetts, Florida, Arizona, Missouri, Colorado, North Carolina, South Carolina, Idaho, Washington, New Hampshire, Iowa and Maine.

 

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Passionate About The Environment

Passionate About The Environment

 I have always loved the outdoors. I was raised on a farm a couple of hours from Alaska, in Smithers, B.C., Canada.  Being raised on a farm was an amazing way to grow up.   I was a member of the local 4H Club, participating in beef and sheep raising, as well as showmanship, but mostly I loved the public speaking opportunities and demonstrations the club presented me with.

My first job was at the local fish hatchery as a tour guide. The job encouraged me to stay active and healthy. These  are two traits I have instilled in my  family. As a family we enjoy camping, biking, geo caching, hiking and playing games outdoors.  In order for our families to continue enjoying our earth, I strongly believe that ALL of us are called to take care of it. Everyday we have the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of creation and everyday we have the responsibility to protect it.

It wasn’t that long ago when hikers didn’t hesitate to drink out of the lakes, rivers or streams.  Now we all think twice.  What has happened?  Our society has made everything disposable.  The lakes, streams and oceans are polluted.  We need to clean up our act to protect our earth.  David Suzuki was right when he said that “What we do to nature, we do to ourselves.”

We cannot solely blame commercial industry without pointing the finger at residential homes that are carelessly dumping anything and everything down the drain and into our landfills.  Studies have shown that the largest contributors to pollution are actually residential homes not industries.

A particular verse in the Bible that rings true to me is:  I completely believe that we must “First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean” (Matthew 23:26). We are such a small part of this universe with the ability to make a huge impact. Many of us believe that one person cannot change the world, but the truth is, WE CAN. One person at a time, one step at a time. That one persons is you and your first step in in your home.

Fall Event Slide Show.007

Gandhi’s call to action is a phrase to live by, “we must strive to be the change that [we] wish to see in the world”.

Resources: http://www.timescolonist.com/opinion/columnists/david-suzuki-what-we-do-to-the-earth-we-do-to-ourselves-1.2043193

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Delores VandenBoogaard is an Independent Norwex Sales Consultant from Edmonton, Alberta Canada with customers and consultants throughout Canada and the United States including; New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Prince Edward Island, North West Territories and Ontario. She also has customers and team members in; Michigan, Texas, California, Massachusetts, Florida, Arizona, Missouri, Colorado, North Carolina, South Carolina, Idaho, Washington, New Hampshire, Iowa and Maine.

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About Me…

About Me…

Every day I wake up to my dream job; I am so thankful for the incredible opportunities Norwex has provided me with. Being a part of the company has made saying “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life”, 100% true.  I LOVE the teaching and everyday learning Norwex has implemented into my life, as it is my privilege to help others, and make a difference in their lives.  I am honored to be the Leader of The Solution Team of fabulous consultants across North America.  Our team has been awarded as the Top Norwex Team, Nationally and Internationally multiple times since 2007.

My approach to success is simple.

  • Educating and inspiring consumers is a passion. You wouldn’t believe the number of people unaware that they have a choice to live a life without harmful household chemicals.  It is my desire to teach them.
  • There is no better way to improve yourself than to help improve others. I happily mentor, coach and equip my fellow Norwex consultants with the tools they need to achieve their dreams and goals.
  • “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”(M. Meade.) Our team of health conscious consultants wanting to make a difference is ever growing. Join our Team!
  • Norwex has given me a career with a purpose, flexibility so life can have balance, and self-employment with an excellent income.
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Norwex National Conference 2010

My Family:

I married my high school sweetheart two years after graduating high school.  Doug and I were blessed with three amazing daughters.  When our oldest daughter was born, she was diagnosed with a rare syndrome, preventing me from returning to my full time career.  I embraced the stay-at-home mom lifestyle and enjoyed the gift of raising our girls.  Finances were tight, as all one income families can attest. Shortly after, I started in the Direct Sales industry in 2001. It has provided our family with flexible hours and income ever since, so there has never been need for hired-care.

In 2013, I saw the influence my career had on my family.  When my team was promoted to the first Norwex Black Jacket nationally, Norwex Head Office asked my husband and daughters to speak at the Corporate Celebration.  It brought tears to my eyes as they shared what Norwex has meant to them over the years.  Our youngest said she loved that her mom was able to attend all her field trips, and how family always came first.  Our middle daughter expressed her gratitude for the part-time job and income she earned, as Norwex is our family business.  She was also thankful that Norwex was positively affecting our environment for her and her family’s lives to come.  As a teenager, she also expressed her appreciation and awe of the Norwex product line, as her skin is free from breakouts and acne.  Our oldest told the room full of celebrators that Norwex taught her how to set goals.  She had seen first hand how goal setting helped her mom to achieve her dreams.  I am proud to share that she was the Valedictorian for her graduating class.  My husband thanked me for giving our family time, and balance, all while running a successful business.  He was grateful I had taught our girls a strong work ethic, determination, dedication, and the heart to help and serve others.  Each of them have blessed me with their words; I will never forget that special evening!

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Delores VandenBoogaard is an Independent Norwex Sales Consultant from Edmonton, Alberta Canada with customers and consultants throughout Canada and the United States including; New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Prince Edward Island, North West Territories and Ontario. She also has customers and team members in; Michigan, Texas, California, Massachusetts, Florida, Arizona, Missouri, Colorado, North Carolina, South Carolina, Idaho, Washington, New Hampshire, Iowa and Maine.

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