Our Life & Style

April 16, 2018April 23, 2018

EARTH DAY 2018

The theme: END PLASTIC POLLUTION.

“From poisoning and injuring marine life to disrupting human hormones, from littering our beaches and landscapes to clogging our waste streams and landfills, the exponential growth of plastics is now threatening the survival of our planet.

Photo: Greenpeace Philippines cleaning a heavily polluted beach in Manila.

In response, Earth Day 2018 is dedicated to providing the information and inspiration needed to fundamentally change human attitude and behavior about plastics.” – Earth Day Network

Join the movement and take action to End Plastic Pollution on Earth Day and beyond!

Here are 5 Simple Ways to Reduce Plastic Pollution.

Start by changing one bad habit a time. At MG Surfline™ we believe everyone’s small efforts help and that together as a global community we can make a difference and turn the plastic tides around. Join us in our mission for a plastic free Ocean!

April 16, 2018April 16, 2018

The History of Earth Day

April 22, 1970 marked the birth of the modern environmental movement.

Close to 48 years ago, millions of people took to the streets, parks and auditoriums to demonstrate support for environmental protection and protest against the negative impacts of 150 years of industrial development.

“Thousands of colleges and universities organized protests against the deterioration of the environment. Groups that had been fighting against oil spills, polluting factories and power plants, raw sewage, toxic dumps, pesticides, freeways, the loss of wilderness, and the extinction of wildlife suddenly realized they shared common values.

Earth Day 1970 gave voice to that emerging consciousness, channeling the energy of the anti-war protest movement and putting environmental concerns on the front page.” – Earth Day Network

After witnessing the ravages of the 1969 massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California, Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson, then a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, had the idea for a national day focused on the environment. He was inspired by the anti-war movement among students and realized that this energy could be combined with the emerging public awareness and consciousness in regards to air and water pollution. This would force environmental protection onto the national political agenda.

The efforts and protest of Earth Day 1970 made a difference and achieved a rare alignment, gaining support from Republicans and Democrats, rich and poor, people from the cities and farmers, businessmen, industrialist and labor leaders. By the end of that year the United States Environmental Protection Agency was created and the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts were passed.

Earth Day is now an annual global event. More than 1 billion people in 192 countries now take part in what is considered to be the largest environmental movement, according to Earth Day Network.

April 12, 2018April 12, 2018

Introducing our friends @TwinsKitchen! PLUS a recipe for a delicious, energizing on the go snack!

Beautiful and talented twins sisters, Ashley and Brittney, describe themselves as acai bowl addicts, fitness fanatics, beach bums, with a passion for creating healthy, vegan recipes.

“We became interested in a vegan lifestyle after high school graduation. Initially, we perused it because we were intrigued by the health benefits, but we quickly discovered there is more to veganism than weight loss and health benefits, and became aware of the cruelty in the meat, dairy, and poultry industry. Slowly, we began taking the steps to transition to a vegan lifestyle. We replaced regular milk with almond and coconut milk, swapped whey for vegan protein powder and yogurt for dairy-free alternatives, and stocked our fridge and pantry with an abundance of veggies and fruits, grains, and plant-based sources of protein.

Now, we feel we’re at our healthiest point both mentally and physically living a vegan lifestyle, and we thoroughly enjoy nourishing our bodies with the most nutritious foods possible while contributing kindness and compassion towards animals and the Earth”.

We are happy to have Twins Kitchen as part of MG Surfline™ Our Life & Style!!! They will be creating delicious recipes made specially for Active, Healthy, and Passionate Ocean Lovers!

Check out this delicious, energizing snack and recipe for on the go beach days.

Energizing Salted Peanut Butter Bliss Balls

“My sister and I love making our own healthy snacks to grab on the go or bring to the beach, including homemade bliss balls. Made with nuts, seeds, superfoods, and plant-based protein, these Salted Peanut Butter Bliss Balls are not only fun and easy to make, they’re delicious and full of wholesome ingredients, which make them the perfect grab-n-go snack. After a long day running errands or out in the waves, we love refueling with these Salted Peanut Butter Bliss Balls because they provide a perfect balance of protein, fiber, antioxidants, healthy fats, and energy. This recipe is no-bake, super simple, plus, it’s a great way to curb your sweet tooth.

Throw these bliss balls into your beach bag next time you head to the beach for the perfect, energizing snack.”

Recipe:

1 cup oats

½ cup creamy peanut butter

¼ cup plant-based protein powder (we used Amazing Grass’s Protein Superfood Pure Vanilla Mix)

1 tbsp ground flaxseed

2 tbsp chia seeds

½ cup almonds

1 tsp vanilla extract

½ tsp Himalayan sea salt

½ tsp cinnamon

2 tbsp maple syrup

¼ cup water (add a few more tbsp as needed)

Directions:

Place all ingredients in a food processor or blender and blend until combined in a loose dough. If too dry, gradually add a few extra tablespoons of water, careful not to add too much.
Use a tablespoon to roll the dough balls, repeating until all the dough is used.
Roll the bliss balls in chia seeds, cacao nibs, coconut, or drizzle with nut butter if desired.
Store extra bliss balls in the refrigerator up to 5 days.

For more about them visit them www.twinskitchen.net @twinskitchen

April 12, 2018April 12, 2018

THREE MILLION! That’s the number of plastic water bottles that Americans use an hour!!!

😱 Yes, you read that right, nearly three million bottles, every hour of every day.

LESS THAN 30% OF PLASTIC WATER BOTTLES ARE RECYCLED.

So where does all that plastic go?

1. Landfills

Plastic doesn’t biodegrade and instead it sits in landfills for hundreds of years. Unfortunately landfills are among the biggest contributors to soil and ground water pollution.

A staggering 80% of the items buried in landfills could be recycled!

2. Our waterways, rivers, lakes and ultimately our Oceans…

Plastic is approximately 90% of all trash floating in the oceans. Sadly it is estimated that 8 million metric tons of plastic end up in our oceans every year, which is equivalent to dumping the contents of one garbage truck into the ocean every minute!

The global issue of plastic pollution may seem overwhelming, but there are simple choices, simple shifts to our everyday habits that we can all work on together as a global community.

REFUSE SINGLE USE PLASTIC WATER BOTTLES.

Get your own reusable water bottle and use it to talk with your friends and family about the environmental impact of using single-use plastic and inspire them to make the simple choice of refusing single use plastic and replacing it with reusable alternatives.

There are many options in the market including some colorful and beautifully designed bottles. Our favorite are the insulated metal bottles because they keep our water cool even after long hours at the beach!

Check out the Wave of Change Insulated Bottle from our friends at Waterlust. For every bottle sold they pick 1 pound of trash! How awesome is that!

Use Code: MGFRIEND at checkout for a 10% discount at Waterlust.com

IF YOU DO END UP USING PLASTIC BOTTLES, RECYCLE THEM.

Plastic bottles are not trash. Imagine them as a resource to capture and repurpose into amazing new high value products, just like our swimwear and activewear, which are made from recycled plastic bottles!

Sign up for our newsletter to stay in the loop on the fight against plastic pollution and join us in our mission for a plastic free Ocean.

We leave you with this educational, interesting and inspiring video so you can learn more:

@mgsurfline #MGSurfline #sustainablefashion #ecofriendlyfashion #nosingleuseplastic #PlasticFreeOcean #OceanPollution

March 30, 2018March 30, 2018

7 Reasons why you should drink a GREEN JUICE EVERYDAY

From our Friends at www.thegoodinside.com:

Green juices are the rock stars of the health world. They condense several servings of fruit, vegetables, and other superfoods into a single, easy-to-consume drink. Because so much is packed into one drink, green juices are incredibly nutrient-dense and have an impressive list of health benefits.

That’s why they have so much appeal. There is simply no other way to provide this many benefits and nutrients in a single serving. Nothing compares.

Here are seven benefits you can expect with a daily green juice.

1. Alkalizes the Body

Your body’s pH is like the Goldilocks principle. It can’t be too acidic. It can’t be too alkaline. It needs to be just right (between 7.35 and 7.45 pH).

Your body has natural buffer systems that keep it within the ideal pH range. But when you drink alcohol or consume processed foods it can cause your body to become more acidic.

In response, your body has to pull buffering minerals from elsewhere in the body to maintain your pH. This can result in a wide range of issues including weak bones, fatigue, stiff joints, and digestive problems.

Consuming plenty of green vegetables helps maintain alkalinity. And the easiest way to do that is with a green juice every day.

2. All-Day Energy

When you’re feeling tired, what’s the first thing you reach for? Coffee? A risky energy drink?

While some caffeinated drinks like tea and coffee are perfectly healthy in moderation, they aren’t a remedy for the real reason you’re tired.

An estimated 9 out of 10 people are lacking in key vitamins and minerals (1). When your body is starved of nutrients, it simply won’t work the way it should, leaving you feeling fatigued.

Green juices are the perfect remedy. They provide a near-instant lift in energy. And unlike caffeine or synthetic stimulants, there’s no late-afternoon crash.

Can’t shake that #fatigue? Add a green juice for all-day, clean energy.

Click To Tweet

3. May Delay Aging

If you don’t eat a wide variety of vegetables, fruit, and herbs, you are missing out on a key component of wellness: antioxidants.

Antioxidants protect your body from oxidative damage, which contributes to physical aging. Studies have linked oxidative damage to the development of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and more (2). And the best source for antioxidants is found in fruits and veggies.

In fact, an analysis of 95 studies by scientists from Imperial College London showed remarkable protection against a range of diseases when 10 servings of fruits and vegetables were consumed daily (3).

This protective benefit only came from plants. Green juices give you multiple servings of nutritious superfoods to boost your antioxidant intake.

4. Improves Gut Health

Your gut is the foundation of health. It can be the difference between depression and happiness (4). It affects nearly every aspect of your health. That’s why it’s critical to take steps to ensure your gut is healthy, and drinking green juice supports gut health.

That’s because green juices contain digestive enzymes and prebiotics. Some higher quality green juices even contain probiotics, good bacteria that are recognized for supporting gut health.

All these substances can dramatically improve the health of your gut.

Your #gut can make or break your health. Treat it right with a green juice.

Click To Tweet

5. Enhances Detoxification

No matter how careful you are, your body is constantly exposed to toxins. They can be found in drinking water, household furniture, food, and the air you breathe.

All these toxins put a huge strain on your liver. Green juices help because many of the ingredients can support a healthy liver.

For example, studies have found that cruciferous vegetables like broccoli can improve phase II detoxification in the liver (5). This means your liver will be more efficient at quickly getting toxins out of your body.

By consuming a green juice every day, you can give your liver a fighting chance against all the toxins you’re exposed to on a daily basis.

6. Supports a Healthy Immune System

Green juices are one of the best ways to support a healthy immune system because they are packed full of nutrition.

Much like a car needs gas, oil, and lubricants, your immune system needs specific nutrients to run properly. Nutrients that must be constantly replenished. If they aren’t, things stop working.

Zinc deficiencies, for example, can make you significantly more susceptible to catching a cold or flu (6). A daily dose of vitamin C is also a must to help keep your immunity strong. Drinking a green juice every day is an easy way to replenish the nutrients your immune system needs.

Get the nutrients your #immune system needs with a daily green juice.

Click To Tweet

7. Bioavailable Nutrients

You may be wondering if you’re covered with a multivitamin. The sad truth is, most multivitamins are cooked up in a lab using harsh chemicals and solvents.

These “nutrients” are little more than artificial vitamins which aren’t absorbed well.

Green juices, on the other hand, contain natural vitamins and minerals in their most bioavailable form. With nutritional co-factors and enzymes intact, they are easily absorbed. Your body simply gets more out of a green juice than it does a standard, run-of-the-mill multivitamin.

Go Green with Organic Superfoods

Green juices are one of the best ways to nourish a healthy body. They provide a wide variety of nutrients that can improve your immune system, energy levels, detoxification efforts, gut health, and much more.

To get the most benefit out of your green juices, go organic. For a quick and easy way to make delicious green juices every day, opt for an organic green juice powder with 44 superfoods to optimize your health. Best of all, you can be on your way to a healthy, tasty juice in under a minute.

March 1, 2018May 18, 2018

5 Simple Ways to Reduce Plastic Pollution

For us at MG Surfline™ a love for our oceans demands our involvement in the fight to protect them and we aspire to be a part of the solution.

We are committed to protecting our Oceans and invite you to do the same. Let’s implement solutions that we can all work together as a global community.

1. REFUSE single use plastic:
Say no to plastic bags, water bottles, straws, disposable utensils and cups.

When shopping try buying less of the plastic pre-packaged products, choose items that come in glass containers and instead of buying plastic wrapped meat and veggies, buy meats from the butcher wrapped in paper and pack your veggies loose in a reusable shopping bag. Remember ingesting food packaged in plastic may expose you to harmful plastic chemicals like BPA.

2. REPLACE plastic products with reusable long lasting alternatives & REUSE everyday plastic products when possible:

Here are some ideas:

Plastic shopping bags – replace & bring your own reusable bags.

Plastic water bottles – replace with metal/glass reusable bottles.

Plastic containers, zip-top bags & tupperware – replace with glass containers.

Plastic lined cups & plastic lids – replace with a to-go stainless steel thermos mug.

Plastic plates – replace with paper plates.

Plastic utensils – replace with reusable bamboo to-go utensils.

Check out our blog post on 7 HEALTHIER & BETTER ALTERNATIVES TO SINGLE USE PLASTIC.

3. RECYCLE, it really does make a difference:

Imagine plastic products as a resource to be captured and used, instead of waste to be disposed of. If you must use plastic, choose the most commonly recycled plastics: #1 (PETE) or #2 (HDPE). You would be amazed at all the products that are being created with what we recycle. Make sure to check your community guidelines for recycling properly.

4. GET INVOLVED in your community:
Join your community at local beach clean ups. We announce our beach clean ups in our News section, stay up to date and join us! If you see trash at the beach, in the park or in the water pick it up and dispose of it properly.

Join non-profit organizations and get involved in changing legislation.

Promote corporate responsibility by asking businesses to take responsibility for their products and their packaging.

5. Be a conscious consumer & SUPPORT sustainable businesses:

As consumer we have the power to change the world. Every time you make a purchase you are casting a vote for what you want and how you want the world to be. Vote for companies and products that are made responsibly. Sustainably and ethically is the way business should be done.

Learn more on how we turn recycled plastic bottles into amazing waterwear and our ongoing efforts for a plastic free ocean.

February 1, 2018April 16, 2018

8 Sad Truths about Plastic Pollution in our Oceans

As a professional kitesurfer and marine biologist I have had the opportunity to travel around the world. From my local beach in Florida to the beautiful beaches of my home country, Costa Rica, to the exotic islands in the South Pacific, sadly I’ve seen 1^st hand that there is no shoreline untouched by plastic pollution.

We live in a time where not only our ocean’s health is threatened, but so is our way of life. The very thought of a world where the ocean had become too unhealthy to enjoy it terrifies me. I would be completely heartbroken and devastated if one day the only things our unborn grandchildren will know of the oceans are the stories we tell them… How the ocean once made us feel alive, free and happy.

The global issue of ocean plastic pollution is a pressing reality and it adversely affects wildlife, wildlife habitat, and us.

Plastic Pollution Facts:

1. Billions of pounds of plastic can be found in the oceans, making up to about 40% of the world’s ocean surfaces. 80% of that plastic pollution comes from land.

2. According to an Ellen MacArthur Foundation report, it is estimated that 8 million metric tons of plastic end up in our oceans every year, which is equivalent to dumping the contents of one garbage truck into the ocean every minute. Due to ocean currents garbage floating in the ocean gathers in 5 giant patches, the largest being the Great Pacific garbage patch, estimated to be twice the size of Texas, with plastic pieces outnumbering sea life six to one. The report also suggests that by 2050 there may be more plastic in the ocean than fish!

3. Plastic is approximately 90% of all trash floating in the oceans.

4. Plastic does not biodegrade. Instead it is broken down into smaller pieces by the sun. Some float yet some sink affecting the entire water column. It takes 500-1000 years for plastic to degrade.

5. Plastic pollution has a direct and deadly effect on wildlife. Thousands of seabirds and sea turtles, and marine mammals are killed each year after ingesting plastic or getting entangled in it. Almost half of all seabird species, 22% of cetaceans, all sea turtle species and a growing list of fish species have been documented with plastic found in or around their bodies.

6. Plastic pollution affects human health too. Plastic chemicals such as BPA (Bisphenol A) can be absorbed by the body and may be linked to certain cancers, can alter hormones and have other potential negative effects on human health. Most packaged food and beverage cans are lined with BPA and dietary intake is believed to be the biggest exposure point in adults.

7. Over the last ten years we have produced more plastic than during the whole of the last century. A staggering 50% of the plastic we use, we use just once and throw away.

8. Despite a growing worldwide demand for plastic, only 5% of the plastic produced is recycled effectively. Approximately 40% of plastics go to landfills, and a third of these plastics end up in fragile ecosystems such as our oceans. Landfills are among the biggest contributors to soil pollution. About 80% of the items buried in landfills could be recycled.

These Sad Truths have motivated me to make personal and professional changes to the way in which I choose to live. I’m constantly doing research and investigating new ways to live as sustainably as possible.

The global issue of plastic pollution is a driving force behind all our operating decision at MG Surfline™. We made a company pledge when we first launched and hold true to our mission.

The good news is there is hope and there are simple ways to rise above plastic that we can all work on together as a global community. Join us in our mission for a plastic free ocean. Learn how you can make an impact with these 5 Simple Ways to Reduce Plastic Pollution.