This Friday, I'm off to the airport for a relaxing week in my favorite state, Oregon, which means all of my devoted blog readers (hi, Mom and Grandma) will either have to tough it out or get their fix from Steve and Jodi.

I am absolutely in heart with Oregon. With its gorgeous coastline (I saw a seal and a bald eagle. In real life. As in, not in a zoo.), its relaxed atmosphere (even in the city!) and the endless bounty of food from the sea (I get a year's worth of omega-3s when I go to Oregon), what’s not to love?!?

However, there's one thing that outshines all of Oregon's wonderful aspects: The state's commitment to going green. I was unaware of how serious they are about their carbon footprint until I encountered a toilet in the Portland airport. It was a toilet featuring a neon green handle (which, a sign told me, was coated to protect against germs) that you push UP if you have, um, not done that much, for a reduced-water flush, and DOWN for a normal water flush.

Besides their spiffy toilets, Oregon is all about homes AND businesses using renewable power, such as solar energy. An article from OregonLive.com reported that business are drinking the Kool-Aid and hopping on the solar energy bandwagon, thanks to tax breaks and cash rebates:

"A business can recoup an investment in a million-dollar array in five years, then post thousands of dollars annually in electricity savings. A little extra icing: the installations are exempt from property taxes through 2012...

Nonprofits and government entities are equally enthusiastic. They're allowed to transfer the incentives to investors on the hunt for tax breaks, then put up a solar array for little, if any, out-of-pocket expense."

According to the article, Oregon officials expect the amount of solar-electric power in the state to jump more than eight-fold in 2008.

And it's not just solar energy; everywhere you look, there are people carrying reusable sacks out of farmer's markets and shops (supporting local businesses is HUGE there); restaurants informing you that the food they use is organic and locally grown; people toting around aluminum or steel water bottles instead of evil plastic ones; eco-friendlier dry cleaners; people taking public transportation, biking or walking... the list goes on.

To me, the air there is cleaner and fresher smelling, the people are friendlier and more relaxed and the atmosphere is just, well, different. As an outsider, it looks to me like the state seems to have banded together to create a healthier, cleaner, more aware environment.

As someone who lives in Arizona and has to regularly breathe in the smog-infested air, this type of green living is extremely appealing to me. I think each state should take a page out Oregon's playbook. Again, like the last post, I know it sounds cheesy, but I really think that we, as a country, could really make a huge difference if we just put in the time and effort.  It would have a noticeable effect on our businesses, our homes and our lives. It's already been made clear that we're aware that there IS a problem, so let's do something to fix it.

While this has almost nothing to do with natural or organic products, I have to share this video with you.

Matt Harding, a "31-year-old deadbeat from Connecticut who used to think that all he ever wanted to do in life was make and play videogames," decided to get up off the couch and travel around the world to see what was out there. Throughout his travels, him filmed himself dancing in various places. Thanks to the magic of YouTube.com, Matt became an internet sensation, which led him to go on another world-wide dancing expedition, courtesy of Stride Gum. Due to Matt's internet popularity, Stride offered him another trip, this time to go visit all the cities with fans who had written to Matt, asking if they could dance with him.

I know it sounds crazy and strange, but this video absolutely took my breath away. At first, I rolled my eyes and was all, "Ok, yeah, whatever, he's a goober dancing, big deal." But then I kept watching. And I started to cry.

To see people come together like this, all around the world, and dance with complete abandon and without embarrassment, is amazing (my favorite part is when Matt is in India, doing a classical dance with all these trained dancers). And for all the bad things that go on in the world, and for how bleak and dreary everyone makes the future seem, this video gives us hope. As clichéd as it sounds, it makes me believe that, one day, we'll be able to connect with one another, to cooperate and get along with one another, and, most importantly, dance with one another without hate or fear, but with love and understanding.

(And, just in case the boss lady tells me I need to make this somehow relevant to NPM, I'll say that it also gives me hope that we can come together and help save our valuable environment by making a consolidated effort to go green, support organic and local farmers, and ensure that outsourced products are fair trade.)

For those of you not living in Arizona, California, Colorado or Texas, you have my deepest sympathies. For those of you who do, rejoice in your local Sprouts Farmers Market. It. Is. Awesome. As I've probably mentioned a bazillion times, I'm trying to get my health and body on a more natural, healthy path, and Sprouts has been there for me every step of the way.

I don't even know where to start gushing. This store has THE cheapest produce I have ever seen. Not only that, but it's all grown locally AND it's always fresh and delicious (and they have a huge organic section, too). The fruit I get at conventional stores always tastes dull and spoils quickly after failing to ripen properly, but not Sprouts' produce. It's always juicy and bright and fresh. Whatever is in season is always on sale (10 kiwis for 2 bucks? Heck yes!). This is especially wonderful for those on us on somewhat tight budgets. Other natural stores (*cough* rhymes with "Shmole Shmoods" *cough*) tend to be way too pricey for me, but I can find almost everything at Sprouts for several dollars less.

I am also a huge fan of their meat and cheese selection. For me, I can find Hulk-sized chicken breasts (that are so free range that they got massages before they were killed) for an unbelievable price. For the boyfriend, who prefers his meat thick, bloody and from a cow, Sprouts has a great selection of juicy, beautiful steaks (great prices). We can also bind our intestines with some of their fresh cheeses, which come in, oh, just about every shape, size, color and type that you can think of.

For those who are into homeopathic remedies, probiotics, supplements and aromatherapy, Sprouts has got you covered until you die. I myself am not a partaker of any of the above, BUT I have seen people who come into the store and go "Ooooooh!", so I'm guessing it's all good.  They also have a great selection of natural care body products (my kryptonite), which I have to be dragged away from every time we go. In addition, Sprouts sells natural cleaning products, baby supplies, dairy and eggs, cereals, bread, etc.

But by far the best thing about Sprouts (besides their produce) are the giant barrels of bulk flours, grains, cereals, rice, dried fruits, snacks and candy in the front of the store. This is especially good for someone like me, who is trying to be all about portion control. In the mood for gummi worms? Buy 10! Pay 30 cents! It's also useful if I'm making a recipe that calls for a certain amount of an ingredient (i.e. rice or polenta) that I don't use that often. This way, I can get what I need and nothing goes to waste, PLUS I save money.

So, for those of you who are lucky enough to live in a state that has Sprouts, PLEASE head on over and take a gander. It’s an incredible store with great finds, great prices and a friendly, helpful staff.