Amber Pavloff's Blog

  I have been noticing that my smart appliances are not always very smart.  For instance, today I spent a couple of hours diagnosing my washing machine with my phone app.  I have only had this washing machine for a year.  I have to "diagnose" it once a month!  I got this washing machine because it used less water and had all the awesome smart features.  I'm supposed to be able to start my washing machine from my phone, when I'm on my way home.  Do you think that feature consistently works consistently?  Absolutely NOT!  So I'm not sure about all of these new smart appliances that are on the market.  The older versions used a lot of water, but they worked and lasted a long time!

I have been watching quite a few documentaries lately.  Fed Up was recommended to me and I thought it was very interesting.  I come from a long line of diabetics and sugar is always on my mind.  I'm always thinking on how to limit my sugar as I know diabetes is literally "knocking on my door."  The film is very insightful on the obesity epidemic and the sugar connection.  Sadly, the film features young children who are struggling to lose weight.  So it makes you think what is in our food?  The answer from the film is Sugar, Sugar and Sugar!   Those reduced-fat wheat crackers that you think are a "healthier choice."  Don't even think about them!  When they reduce the "fat", the new recipe includes SUGAR!  Added sugar is everywhere and has a LONG list of different names.  However, old habits are hard to break.   Coffee without sugar tastes horrible!  Sugar-free ketchup tastes terrible! However, I will adjust a...

  The Story of Stuff, is a Youtube video that I watched for my science class.  However, I was pleasantly surprised on how interesting and informative this video is on consumerism and climate change.   Annie Leonard, presents a very clear, short video on how we are exploiting our natural resources on Earth, our home for the latest ipad or pretty sweater.  Americans create 30% of the worlds' wastes!!   How disgusting is that?  After we create all that trash, then we ship it to another country.  Then, we buy more "stuff" and throw away 99% of the stuff within six months!  We are literally buying "stuff" just to throw it away.  We are throwing "stuff" away and our money with it. It's absolutely shocking how our society is choosing to buy "stuff" and ignore the effects of climate change.  We know the climate is changing and the Earth isn't healthy.  We know we could recycle more and focus on sustainable products.  However,...

  James Balog, is so passionate about his work and what he's trying to accomplish.  He's trying to show the world amazing photographs and haunting video footage of melting glaciers.  Chasing Ice, is a powerful film on the effects of global warming and how humans are destroying nature.  James Balog, and the Extreme Ice Survey crew set up cameras in Iceland, Greenland, Alaska, and Montana.   Balog, returns for the first visit to check on their cameras.  The brutal weather of the glaciers have not been kind to his equipment.  Several of the cameras have damage or didn't take pictures.  The passion for his project is felt through the screen.  He curses and cries into his shoulder.  I can feel his frustration and anger in that moment.  It's heartbreaking.  I want to cry with him.  It feels devastating that there is no footage to show for all of his hard work and efforts.  He's trying to capture these amazing, yet horr...