Going Green

If you have issues with someone in your household wasting water, or you, yourself tend to waste water in the shower, there is a solution. The shower-timer is not only earth-friendly as far as saving water, it is also quick, handy, and some models are very inexpensive to purchase. Get a shower timer and make long showers and water waste a thing of the past.

Here are a few site that carry the shower timer.

•Green Feet $4.95

•The Shower Manager $115

•The Shower Timer $399

•Nigel’s Eco Store $5

*The Earth and Me, Go Green Tip: Most of the pet products that are out on the market today that help control fleas and ticks are chalked full of harmful chemicals that you, your pet and the environment don’t need. So always choose natural pet care and natural, organic shampoos and pet fur conditioners. Your pet can not only do without the fleas they can do without the harsh chemicals on their coats, skin and internal organs as well.

1.  Sunlight Sl-2-flashlight:  This flashlight is the light you need when the others that take batteries fail on you when you need them most.  Can be used as a regular/standard flashlight or used with it’s wide-beam capabilities.  It works for a full 20 hours on one charge alone and comes in a wide variety of colors to choose from.  Runs about $39 and can be purchased online here.

2.  Citizen Eco-Drive Watches:  These watches never need a battery and charge with any type of light that you are near.  So even if you are wearing it in the evening at a dinner date, the watch with charge with the dim lights of the dinner table.  They are kind of on the higher priced side of watches, ranging up into about $525, but for what the watch does and the look of the wide-range of styles they are well worth the amount spent.  The diamonds around the watch face are from conflict-free diamonds as well.  Check out the watch selections here. 

3.  Soji Solar Lantern:  These lanterns are the greatest thing since sliced bread.  You can place them in and around your patio or garden area in the day and then by nightfall they are a glow all around.  They are cordless which means no trips and falls by your guests or even yourself.  They are made of weather-resistant nylon material and will last for up to six hours with one charge.  They run about $20 and come in a wide range of different colors.  You can purchase one right from the Soji site here.

4.  Branch Home’s Natural Wool Stuffed-Animals:  Made with natural wool yarn and are hand-knitted and dyed with natural dyes as well.  They come in a zoo-load of different animal shapes and are eco-friendly for the planet and your child or pet.  They run about $26 but are on sale right now for $20.80.  You can pick up one or a few at the Branch Home website here. 

When most people think of deodorant protection, we just assume the deodorant protects against wetness and odor, but have you ever considered what ingredient is helping fight that wetness and odor?

The sweat your body produces is natural. It helps rid your body of toxins as well as water. The more you sweat the more water your body needs to help rid those toxins out.

A name brand deodorant container ingredient listing reads as follows:

•Active ingredients:
Aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly 19%
•Inactive ingredients:
cyclopentasiloxane, steryl alcohol, talc, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, hydrogenated castor oil, PPG-14 butyl ether, sodium silver aluminum silcate, phellodendron amurense bark extract, oleic acid, santalum album (sandalwood) extract, behenyl alcohol, hordeum distichon (barley) extract, and fragrance.

There are a select few ingredients that are just fine to add to a product we all apply to our arm pit, but over all this deodorant can be linked to many forms of breast cancer, skin rashes, as well as breathing difficulties just from a few of the ingredients.

The aluminum added to deodorant is what is keeping you dry and the added ingredients listed under “fragrance” is what is making you smell better when you do sweat. The only drawback to aluminum is the fact that your body needs to sweat. When you apply a thick coat of aluminum based deodorant your body has no where to flush out the toxins in your body, and in turn it can cause you to become ill.

A better ingredient listing on a not so well known deodorant products listing reads as follows:

•Inactive ingredients: Vegetable glycerin, *certified organic rose geranium all plant essence, *certified organic mint allplant essence, sodium sterate, steareth-100, certifed organic pomegranate, litchi & persimmon extracts, sodium bicarbonate, certified organic extracts of mallow, linden, rosemary, strearate oleic acid, stearate acid, stearyl alcohol, ethylhexyl glycerin, sodium chloride, fragrance oils.
*Grown in accordance with teh California Organic Foods Act of 1990

Which product would you rather be comfortable using. Knowing that the second label is all organic and processed without using harsh chemicals, animal testing and contains no animal by-products.

The next time you go to purchase deodorant, which we all need at one point and time, pick up one that is all-natural or all-plant based. It will help your body get rid of toxins as well as make you smell better than any doedorant out on the market that contains aluminum.

Below are a list of great deodorants. Some contain all-natural plant oils that smell just wonderful.

•Jason Products company carries a lot of all-natural products and one being their line of deodorants.

•Mill Creek is yet another one to consider.

•Burt’s Bees has their own line of natural deodorants. Theirs comes in a spray bottle and smells wonderful. They are my personal favorite.

•Toms of Maine is yet another one. Great product with great ingredients.

Just by looking to see what is out there, you may find a brand that does just as well, if not better then your regular brand you have been using for years. Natural deodorant is a great way to start your green-living and healthier living now.

*Going Green Tip: Never burn steel based wick or aluminum based wick candles in your home or outside, instead opt for an oil burner, a simmer pot on the stove, or even sticked fragrance that have made it onto the market scene in the last year. The glass bottle contains essential oils and a bamboo stick or two are placed into the oil to soak. The scent of the oil, in turn is lifted into the air for a great home fragrance.

Have a gift to wrap? Why not try earth-friendly materials?

Earth-friendly materials are not only good for the environment, but they give originality to your gifts as well.

Americans spend as estimated $2.7 billion dollars anually on ribbons, paper, and bows and almost all those goods end up in the trash, then into a landfill.

There are a lot of 2nd hand threft stores such as Good Will, Salvation Army, and even a local below market stores in your area that have excellent alternatives to ribbons and bows, such as:

PAPER PRODUCTS- Brown paper sacks, old newpaper, maps, even wallpaper.

CLOTH PRODUCTS- Scarfs, shirts, tea-towels, as well as old potato bags or rice bags.

NATURAL PRODUCTS- Bamboo leaves, birch bark, banana leaves, hemp wire and even feathers.

FILLER PRODUCTS- Shredded newspaper or wrapping paper, unsalted peanuts (in the shell), popcorn (air-popped), green pine bough.

Wrapping gifts the eco-friendly way is a great way to give your gifts that added touch and you help the Earth by cutting back on paper waste.

*Going Green Tip: Always eat organic whenever you can. The effects of chemically altered fruits and vegetables in the United States alone is scary enough to want to change your eating habits for the better. And organic food only cost a few cents more then the non-organic foods.

I was surfing the internet for a few hours last night in a mad hunt for information on sustainable wood floors for your house. (That posting will come later). But, I came across some interesting products and I wanted to share them.

I had posted an entry a few days ago about Recycline® and their recycled plastic toothbrushes and their efforts to change the recycling industry through their products. Well, I wondered last night if there was any more companies doing that very same thing. And I found one.

•Radius Toothbrushes-
With their Original Toothbrush-

The cellulose handle is processed from sustainable yield forests into 100% renewable resource plastic.

•Scuba Toothbrush-

The rubber construction produces a toothbrush with a wide oval head that flexes back and forth to remind us to reduce the pressure of brushing.

•Source Toothbrush-

Replaceable head toothbrush with renewable resource handle.

Wood Fiber blended with PLA, a plastic derived entirely from Nebraska maize.

The resulting material is 100% renewal resource.

Flax with post consumer polypropylene.

Replaceable Heads consume 1/5 the material of standard toothbrushes.

Replaceable heads - reduces environmental impact.

•Intelligent Toothbrush-

Replaceable heads - reduces environmental impact.

Batteries will last over 6 heads worth of regular use - return the handle to them for recycling.

•Children’s Toothbrush-

A pint-sized version of the Original - with even softer bristles.

•Travel Cases-

Travel cases that carry anything from soap, razors or toothbrush to travel cases for multiple items. All made from recycled plastics.

•Personal Cases-

The personal cases hold what you don’t want people to see, such as feminine products to prophylactics.

•Natural Flossers-

Made of pure, natural silk has a soft texture with very low abrasion - removes plaque softly and effectively.

The floss is spun in natural beeswax to help sliding through tight spaces.

*The cranberry floss is coated with pure unsweetened cranberry essence, which is removed during the action of flossing and deposited on the gums to help break up plaque.

*Going Green Tip: Unplug your electronics (DVD players, TV, cellphone charger) when you’re not using them. And never charge your cellphone overnight.

The Sling-Tote by Fleurville is PVC free and they are so functional, especially with young children, because they wipe clean if something is spilled on them. The one pictured is only, $22.00.

Ever wonder what could happen to your old candy wrapper? Nahuiollin thought the same thing, so in turn they have made an environmentally sound handbag with the wrappers of old candy. Their unique approach to handbag making has gained them national attention. The one pictures is $53.00. Click here for more.

Novica has made a unique approach to handmaking as well as home decor with recycled and renewable resourses such as cotton, silk as well as bamboo. Plus the added benefit is they are all made by hand. They are part of association with National Geographic as well. When you order they ship straight from Thailand. The one pictured is $47.00

Kim White has put her hand in bag making with her idea of making purses from recycled or reclaimed car seat fabric, they are sure to be a big seller the more green-consious people become. The one pictured is $175.00

Sail la Vie has come out with a new idea for recycling sail cloth from sail boats, with their invention of the sail cloth recycled handbag. It is not only fuctional, it lasts and lasts.

With some of these ideas on handbags, maybe one of the choices will help you in your quest to becoming Earth-Wise and Green-Happy.

*Going Green Tip: Don’t let the water run in your sink while you wash dishes or brush your teeth. Water is the number one thing everyone should not waste. Even though Global Warming is happening and the snow-caps are melting and water is of plenty, wasting it in your own home isn’t wise.

If you have been in the market for a new toothbrush, consider this. Stony Field Farm® and Eric Hudson (President and Founder of Recycline®) have teamed up to bring you Preserve™.

Recycline® began in 1996 with the design and packaging to have little impact on the Earth’s resources. The brush handle is made from 100% recycled plastic, from the Stony Field Farm® Yogurt cups, and the carry case is made from wood-based products from renewable forests.

Preserve™ not only looks out for our environment through the toothbrush, they also offer many other products to help the Earth renew itself. Preserve® offers items such as Preserve™ Tumblers, Preserve™ Cutlery, Preserve™ Plateware, Preserve™ Flavored Toothpicks, as well as Preserve™ razors. and tongue cleaners

With Recycling being on the rise not only in the United States, but all across the world, Recycline® is doing it’s part to help YOU help the environment. Preserve­™ products are 100% recyclable and after you are finished with the products, one mainly being the toothbrush and case, you can request the postage-paid mailer to return it back to the company. In turn your toothbrush and case will then be recycled into plastic lumber products, like park benches.

*Read more about their Earth efforts below*

*Going Green Tip: Bring your own shopping bags to the grocery store or super market. Mesh or hemp fabric bags work best, because when they begin to tear or rip, they can be recycled.

1.  Red Batucada Jewels on the Skin—”Petals” Necklace:  Made from eco-friendlty, phthalate-free plastic.  The necklace is in the shape of “petals” to be stylish and practical to fit with any outfit to add compliment to the attire.  Available for under $35 at B5 + 10.

2.  Sunflower Plate with a Purpose:  Made by Riverside Design Group in Pennsylvania.  It’s made by hand completely from the cutting to the coloring and shaping.  A portion of every plate sold goes to help the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation.  The plates are sold for about $42 at Plates with a Purpose.

3.  Ultra Motor A2B Electric Bike:  This elctric bike can help you cut the gas prices completely.  It offers the ability to be a normal style bike when needed and the option of electric when necessary as well.  You can press the throttle on the handlebars to help when climbing hills and even reach speeds of 20 miles per hour with this bike.  The fully charged bike last for 20 miles and can be purcahsed for about $2,500 at Ultra Motor.

1. H2O’Clock: This clock is a serious one when it comes to keeping time with water. Manufactured by Bedol What’s Next required no batteries needed here, all you do is fill the clock with water and the clocks harvests energy from the water itself. The clock helps to eliminate the need for batteries that will eventually end up in landfills worldwide. The clock isn’t badly priced either at $16 and comes in blue, clear, lime green and bright yellow.

2. Scooter/Stroller: Looking to get from point A to point B without the hassle of getting in a car or even worrying about pushing a stroller while on a scooter? With the Roddler Stroller manufactured by Kid Kustoms worry no more. Scooters are all the rage currently, but when you have a little one it can hamper the thought of being carefree on a scooter. The Roddler Stroller has the capability of a normal scooter, but with the added benefit of a stroller built onto the front of it. You can pick one of these awesome creations up for about $2,500.

3. Luna & Larry’s Coconut Bliss Ice Cream: We all strive to eat better and everyone is looking for the best thing in organic at the local market, with Luna & Larry’s Coconut Bliss you are getting two things in one product. Sweetened with agave syrup and it is 100 percent vegan as well. Oh, and all-organic and Fair-Trade as well, to top off the list of greats from this product. Pick one up for under $10.