Why should you only wear Biodegradable Sunscreen? There are several reasons, and the first reason is the coral reefs in our oceans.
Why You Should Only Wear Reef Safe Biodegradable Sunscreen
Give a Gift for Our Planet this Holiday Season
Give a Gift for Our Planet this Holiday Season! I cannot believe it, but it’s that time of year, when the world falls in love! I love Christmas, and I love suggesting gifts for fellow travelers and their families…I also enjoy pointing out some wonderful gifts that benefit our planet and make the gift recipient very happy at the same time! So let’s give, give, give!
Consider these earth, ocean and animal friendly gifts:
WORLD WILDLIFE FUND: MAKE A SYMBOLIC ADOPTION OF A SPECIES AND HELP WWF FIGHT EXTINCTION!
Sea Turtles need our help! Elephant numbers are going down alarmingly as well, due to poaching.
ADOPT A MANATEE FROM SAVE THE MANATEE!
CHARITY SCIENCE FOUNDATION allows you to donate to a scientific cause of your choosing. Always remember, SCIENCE MATTERS. #ilovescience #sciencematters
Support MARINE MEGAFAUNA FOUNDATION by donating, or shopping!
Waterlust’s Leggings!
ALL FISH FACES is a great, green gift for children of all ages! Learn about common reef fish and learn how to reduce your plastic and carbon footprint at the same time!
Please give to OUR PLANET this holiday season! Merry Mazeltov!
Is Your Sunscreen Contributing to the Death of our Coral Reefs?
Your sunscreen is contributing to the death of our coral reefs if you are using sunscreens with Benzophenone-3 AKA Oxybenzone. Almost all “name brand” sunscreens (the usual suspects) include this chemical. It is great at reducing UV exposure, but it is classified by the FDA to be an eye irritant and slightly hazardous for skin contact! Yep, your sunscreen is hazardous to your skin because of the chemicals in it. (www.spectrumchemical.com)
The US Center for Disease Control (CDC), says that 97 percent of Americans have this chemical circulating in their bodies. 97%! Benzophenone-3, or Oxybenzone, is also listed as a direct cause of coral bleaching. Do you really want that chemical on your skin and IN your body? Or on your child or baby? I hope the answer to that is a resounding NO. Check the labels, folks! Avobenzone is used in replace of Oxybenzone, but don’t be fooled, it is still a benzophenone. They often use different names and slightly different benzophenones to make you think the sunscreen doesn’t have it. Homosalate is another common sunscreen ingredient that, for health reasons, is limited to less than 10% in a formula by the FDA. Why? Because it bio-accumulates in the body faster than it can be eliminated and is considered a hormone disrupter. That’s what we all need, a hormone disrupter! Check the ingredients of your sunscreen. Stream2Sea has a card you can print out at https://stream2sea.com/ingredients-to-avoid. Almost all of the “name” sunscreens are filled with chemicals.
I have a couple of recommendations for safe, non toxic sunscreens for you to purchase, both well rated by the EWG. A super great source is the SkinStore, they have organic, chemical free, cruelty free and lots more! Safer for you and your children, and safer for the environment!
- KISS MY FACE organics. The EWG (Environmental Working Group) gives KISS MY FACE organics a high rating for sun protection and health. I have used KISS MY FACE quite often, and have found it to be an excellent product. It comes in sprays and lotions and is mineral based. I highly recommend it! You can find it at Amazon. https://amzn.to/2KC6G30
- STREAM2SEA products are also highly rated, and their website is full of great information. (https://stream2sea.com) They are chemical free and mineral based.
For more tips on how to help the Ocean environment and animals, my book, ALL FISH FACES, has plenty of tips and information for you and your kids, or grandkids!
It’s that Time of Year…start Shopping for the Holidays!
I cannot believe it, but it’s that time of year, when the world falls in love! I love Christmas, and I love suggesting gifts for fellow travelers and their families…I also enjoy pointing out some wonderful gifts that benefit our planet and make the gift recipient very happy at the same time! So let’s give, give, give!
First, check out my page, Gift Ideas, which has gift suggestions for your little fish, your readers, travel gear, cameras, electronics and travel clothes as well! In addition, consider these earth, ocean and animal friendly gifts:
https://seaturtles.org/support-us/adopt-a-nest/
WORLD WILDLIFE FUND: MAKE A SYMBOLIC ADOPTION OF A SPECIES AND HELP WWF FIGHT EXTINCTION!
ADOPT A MANATEE FROM SAVE THE MANATEE!
CHARITY SCIENCE FOUNDATION allows you to donate to a scientific cause of your choosing. Always remember, SCIENCE MATTERS. #ilovescience #sciencematters
Support MARINE MEGAFAUNA FOUNDATION by donating, or shopping!
For your Pet….or You! Encourage a green planet!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01ICEDPMU/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=travelwitht07-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B01ICEDPMU&linkId=6c60afc52cb5b61e41cee5abd01274e3
http://tamtravels.wpengine.com/giving-is-good-any-day-of-the-week/
15 Awesome Travel Gifts for Under $15
Do you love the Little Creatures in the Sea? You’ll find them in Amazing Cozumel!
Do you love the little creatures in the sea? You can find them in amazing Cozumel! Most divers who have traveled to several oceans are familiar with the term, “muck diving”. Muck diving is exactly what it sounds like, diving in muddy, silty substrate which can include coral skeletons and garbage. In such an environment, divers and particularly photographers, can find amazing little creatures and unusual fish. I am not saying that Cozumel has “muck”, but it certainly has shallow dive sites off the shore filled with amazing little critters!
And the rest of these photographs were taken on amazing Cozumel shore dives!
I have done a few shore dives with Mario, of Scuba with Mario. He has incredible eyes, and can find amazingly small critters! Truthfully, my eyes are so bad I can’t find the tiny, tiny stuff even though I wear a prescription mask. I’ve worn glasses since 3rd grade, but in the last couple of years my sight has really declined. I’m grateful when I dive with people who have great sight! I cannot believe some of the animals I saw with Mario…many for the first time!
The moral of the story is: don’t let anyone tell you you cannot find the little critters in Cozumel! As you can see, they are definitely there.
My first book has been published, and you can imagine how excited I am about that! I’m thrilled with the reviews, and what a great Christmas gift for kids or for someone looking for an introduction to the ocean! Click HERE for a signed copy! Just fill out the form and I’ll have it on its way to you!
What’s it about? Photos and fun facts about tropical reef fish, All Fish Faces is an underwater treasure of tropical reef fish faces, some fierce, some fun, but all a joy for fish fans young and old. Impressive, colorful photos and interesting facts — including names of every fish featured — create a colorful dive log worth experiencing again and again. Getting to know, and love, our ocean friends, and feeling the excitement of discovery, is the way to preserve the ocean for future generations! Includes tips on how to help conserve our ocean resources and save our ocean friends. 10% of profits will go to the Marine Megafauna Foundation so they can continue their scientific research to protect our oceans and ocean giants.
I am Enjoying my 15 minutes of Fame Talking About What I Love!
I am Enjoying my 15 minutes of Fame Talking About What I Love!
I have been enjoying my time in the sun, and in front of the camera, on the microphone, not to mention several reviews and articles that have been written and published! Publishing my first book, ALL FISH FACES: Photos and Fun Facts about Tropical Reef Fish, has put me in the spotlight. Talking about solo travel, citizen science, diving, and promoting ocean conservation has been amazingly fun! We all enjoy talking about the things that we are knowledgeable about, or that we are passionate about, don’t we? At least, I do! (check out my author page for full listing of events, appearances and articles!)
On October 9 I had the pleasure of going to Tyler Texas to be interviewed by Bryan Boes, of CBS19 Tyler. He was very enthusiastic about the ocean and curious about diving and the changes I have seen under the water line in the last 30 years. I told him he needed come scuba diving with me! He’s welcome to pop on down to Cozumel where I can show him some very cool fish!
On October 13 I spent 30 minutes visiting with Lisa and Nancy on Big Blend Radio and TV Magazine! They were fun and also curious about my perspective on solo travel, my citizen science trips, and my fun book! They are very active in promoting our National Parks and keeping them safe from business interests and political maneuverings. We talked about our apex predators, both on land and in the sea. They need protection, and Nancy and Lisa, a mother daughter team, are among those seeking protection for them. That was a fun 30 minutes! They publish a wonderful magazine called Parks and Travel.
On October 16 I was so excited to be on Good Morning Texas on WFAA Channel 8 with Jane McGarry! We had a great time chatting and laughing, and her questions were direct and to the point. Both of the tv shows highlighted video of my dives, and pictures of my book. It has been a thrill, I can tell you that!
Stay tuned for more appearances!
October 21, 2017 Live on Rudy Maxa’s World with the Careys 930a CST
November 4, 2017 KTALKmedia 630p CST
November 5, 2017 Book Signing at The Mat Yoga Studio Signing at 3p and 430p, at 330p take a yoga class! There are two classes, one for adults and one for kids! Be sure and sign up for your space! 18484 Preston Road, Suite 201, Dallas, TX 75252 (972) 497-YOGA (9642) info@thematy
You may enjoy http://tamtravels.wpengine.com/4-of-the-most-amazing-reasons-i-go-on-citizen-science-trips/