Bake & Cook at Home to Save Green and Be Green!

When you cook at home you are closer to the food you eat, you know the ingredients and are more inclined to choose natural and organic components. Plus there's nothing like filling the house with the scents of homemade goodies. In case you need more inspiration, check these photos out:







(Images: Oh Happy Day!, A Cup of Jo, A Day That Is Desert)

Daily Eco: Mail Greener

When you mail packages make sure you always use recycled materials! Pack fragile items in old newspapers, magazines and office paper balled up. Pick up recycled content packing supplies (boxes, mailers etc) at Staples. Click below for links to their products available.

Padded Mailers

Bubble Mailers

Shipping Boxes

As for what to mail, well that's up to you!

(Image:images-cdn01.associatedcontent.com)

Inspirational Bike Picture

This picture makes me want to arrange my apartment around my bike, you?

(Image:http://www.casasugar.com/home?page=4)

I just heard about a new documentary on the food industry and I couldn't be more excited to share this with you all.

The film is called Fresh and focuses on the growing chemicalization of our food, the factory farming industry and what is going on to change that trend. The way we can get back to fresh, natural and healthy food. The trailer promises an educational and inspirational film.

The film features Joel Salatin, who if you've read Omnivore's Dilemma you remember, he was the farmer who used the rotational system on his farm. Each animal had its purpose and he was truly inspirational.

Click here to read all about it and watch the trailer.

Oh I can't wait to see it!

Farm Sanctuary Trip

The Beautiful Serene Farm Sanctuary...


Jack, a new addition and my personal favorite...


One of the many cows spending the day in the sunshine...


Some friends saying hello...

Kevin and I recently took a 2 day trip to Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glen New York. Upon arrival we stumbled into an office and none other than Gene Baur was sitting there in flip flops looking relaxed and happy. I was like a teenager again, blushing I am sure. As we turned to walk over to the cabins, I couldn't contain my excitement and grabbed Kevin whispering loudly "Oh My God, it's Gene!". I just couldn't believe he was actually there, he is the face of Farm Sanctuary, the founder and spokesperson and there he was!

We were the only guests while there, due to the weekday timing so we had personal attention from the staff, which was great. We took a 1-2 hour tour the first morning there and met dozens of animals, learning about their rescue stories and how they came to live at Farm Sanctuary. Stories included slaughterhouse escapees, called in abuse cases, Easter bunny/chick rejects (parents who bought their kids chicks & bunnies for the recent Easter then disposed of them soon after on the side of the road in cardboard boxes), animals from medical testing labs and many more. It was sobering to hear these stories while standing in front of the animal, imagining what they had been through.

We were struck by how serene and quit the farm was, yes of course there was loud ruckuses here and there, roosters crowing and mooing from the cow pasture, but all in all it was a quit relaxing place. I can imagine what a change this is for the animals from where they came from before arriving here at Farm Sanctuary.

I would recommend a visit if you can, it's worth spending a day there. They love animals and are extremely passionate about educating the public about the massive abuses going on at factory (and regular farms) across the country.

They've got a great gift shop, available online as well, so go visit, donate and shop. Click here for their website where you can find out more information, shop and donate.

Oh Lovely Blog & Cleaning Out

As my husband and I prepare to move, it's time to clean out, give away and recycle our old duds. We are planning on downsizing to give us ample space, something any New Yorker understands. But I can't help letting my mind wander to decorating, and how we'll set up our home...

Here is some of my inspiration for our kitchen. We'd like to purchase some reclaimed wood and turn them into useful and lovely shelves where we can display our china, cups & saucers, not to mention my extensive jar collection. I love organized clutter, and I plan on overhauling my wares and putting forth the brightest design attempt I can muster this summer. Oh it's so exciting!




Thanks {Frolic} for the images!

Eco-Mama Prezzies!

As Mother's Day approaches, it's time to think about what you're going lavish her with. There are many ideas that involve your creativity and just a little bit of cash. We all know the economy stinks right now (man am I sick of hearing about it!) but that doesn't mean your mama has to suffer, right!

Stock up at your local nursery and/or garden store. Organic Bouquet still can get your gifts to Mom on time! I love their 'Hens & Chicks' succulent plant, affordable and super easy to take care of.

Of course there's no need to order online, head to your local spot and pick out a beautiful plant that will last much longer than flowers. Make sure you ask about care instructions (you can write this on your card) and pick up any plant food that might be needed. Plants come in all prices and sizes, so you can't go wrong with this idea.

If you live near your mama, wake up early on Sunday and cook her a 100% organic pancake breakfast. Use the Internet to find your recipe, replace ingredients for organic ones, get farmer's market fresh berries and don't forget a cup of fair trade
coffee!


Still stumped, don't waste your money on expensive cards, make your own. Get creative and use rubber stamps to personalize a beautiful folded piece of recycled paper, print a photo from your computer and write a loving message on the back or take the time to create a one of a kind card your own way. Whatever you just remember it's about Mama & it truly is the thought that counts.

(Images: www.gillbaby.com

Oh Lovely Blog!

I've spent the better part of the afternoon perusing a slew of delicious blogs. While they may not be eco-specific blogs, there's always room for beauty in my life! Here are some of my favorites, and images from them to entice you...

A Cup of Jo






Oh Joy!

Off to Farm Sanctuary

Kevin and I are off to Farm Sanctuary tomorrow!!! I will have many photos and stories to share. Click here to read about Fiona & Jack, two little ones we'll get to meet and play with.

Good Morning, Dew....

Farm Sanctuary

I'm off to Farm Sanctuary next week for a 2 day vacation (thanks mama & papa!) and I can't wait to get back to nature, play with some rescued farm animals and see what I've been reading about for the past few years. I just received a letter from Gene Baur, the founder of Farm Sanctuary that I thought I should share. (it wasn't a letter just to me ha ha, it was to all of the email subscribers)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Letter:

We live in a country where 95 percent of eggs on the market come from birds kept in cages so small they can barely move, where mother pigs are treated like piglet-breeding machines and made to live in crates barely larger than their own bodies, where chickens raised for meat are kept in crowded barns where the air is almost unbreathable, and where castrations, tail dockings, toe clippings, brandings and other mutilations are done routinely and without regard to the pain they cause. Kept out of the public eye, these cruelties and others constitute the daily experience of hundreds of millions of farm animals.

As more consumers have learned about the horrors of factory farms, they have increasingly demanded that farm animals be given better treatment. They have also shown that they are willing to pay a premium for meat, milk and eggs from so-called “humane” farms. This growing demand has led to the creation of more than a dozen animal welfare assurance schemes sponsored by industry groups, food retailers and third-party organic and humane certification organizations. Government-regulated animal welfare labels and marketing claims have also emerged and expanded.

And yet, we must ask ourselves, what do these labels and assurances really mean? What does it mean to be “humane?” Is it humane to keep an animal in a barren, crowded barn for her entire life so that she rarely, if ever, sets foot outside? Is it humane to take a baby from her mother mere hours after she is born? Is it humane to suffocate newly hatched roosters just because they hold no value for egg producers? Is it humane to transport an animal hundreds of miles by truck so that she can be hung upside down and have her throat cut while still conscious?

In Farm Sanctuary’s new report, The Truth Behind the Labels: Farm Animal Welfare Standards and Labeling Practices, we keep these and other questions firmly in mind as we critically examine the claims used to market so-called “humane” animal agriculture. The information presented in this report may surprise you. As you read, I hope you will think about how well the practices that are being sold as “humane” coincide with your own values.

Read the report summary now, or download the full report, then share it with your friends and family.

Sincerely,

Gene Baur, President
Farm Sanctuary

(Image:oliveloafdesign.files.wordpress.com)

Perfect Organics {review}

Anyone who knows me knows my bathroom is always stocked with bottles and tubes of lotions, bubble bath and soaps. I love discovering new scents and concoctions. Over the past few years I've geared my desires towards more natural and organic while never wanting to compromise the fun I get from a deliciously scented new product.

I was happily surprised to fall in love with Perfect Organics Citrus 3-in-1 body wash/soak/shave gel. I usually don't love citrus but this has a sweetness and the texture is so creamy I couldn't help it! Jam packed with softening botanical extracts and vitamin-rich plant oils this 3-in-1 is all you need for your daily shower requirements. Due to its nourishing quality you can soak in the tub with it and shave as well. Get clean, get the legs shaved and get out! In addition to all that, there's no added artificial fragrances, artificial colors or sodium lauryl sulfates or parabens. I've been using it for about a week, and my skin is noticeably softer and smooth. Ahhhhh...

They've also got shea butter balms, lip balms, body scrubs and lipsticks!

Click here for more information and to stock up yourself.

(Image:www.greenhome.com)

Nature Inspiration

Eco-Find: For Your Pooch

So you've starting eco-fying your life, that's great! Now it's time to eco-fy your pooch too. Here are some ways to start:

Something to Chew On

Pick up a 100% gum rubber chew toy for no more than $18 bucks for the large one. They come in some great colors too...much better than animal bones I say!

Stock up at The Honest Kitchen for your dog (and cats) edible needs. Only the best hormone free meats are used and all ingredients are 100% natural. Not to shabby.



Check out BlissTree's page on eco dog care, great tips, ideas and products for you or the dog lover in your life.

(Image: www.wagwear.com, www.traciehotchner.com)

Kiehl's Loves You & Recycling!

I have a list of Kiehl's products I love, from their body scrub to hair care I just adore them. They are no stranger to good deeds, they have created lines to benefit everything from AIDS to Environmental Awareness. I just got word that they have a new recycling project. Get this, if you bring in your empties you get products for free in return! What could be better. Here's the empty to product breakdown

3 empties = 1 lip balm
5 empties = 1 travel size product
10 empties = 1 full size product ($25 value)

So start stocking up, ask you friends to hand over their empties to you and get to the store! Only available at Kiehl's locations, not at the department stores.

(Image:www.blog.makeupmoxie.com)

Homemade Bath Scrub

Bathtub Scrub
5 minutes; makes 2 cups (about 8 uses)

What You need:

* 1 cup eco dish soap (we used Seventh Generation's Lavender Floral & Mint Natural Dish Liquid)
* 1 cup baking soda
* 2 Tb water
* Wet cloth
* Container for the scrub (an old pasta sauce jar'll work)
* Scrub brush

Directions:
1. Pour eco-friendly dish soap, baking soda, and water into container and mix.

2. Using the scrub brush work the mixture onto the tub and tiles in a circular motion to remove grime.

3. Once you finish the whole area, wipe it clean with a wet cloth - a quick shower rinse should remove any excess solution.

4. Store it under the sink. If it dries out just add water and stir.

Thanks Ideal Bite for this great tip & recipe! I'll be making a batch as soon as I finish my ecover scrub!

(Image:images.smarter.com/blogs)