Go Green in 7 days

It's about time we stop buying chemical laden cleaning products! There are so many harmful ingredients to inhale, it's nasty. There are many ways to green your home and keep some green in your wallet.

Let's get back to basics and clean with one of earth's best cleaner LEMON

Here are some ideas:

Make your counters shine: Dip a half lemon into baking soda and rub onto countertops, (avoid stone, marble and stainless steel though as it may discolor). Wipe down with a wet sponge and dry. You'll be amazed at what a little lemon & baking soda can do for you, without all the chemicals.

Whiten your Whites: Instead of nasty bleach add 1/2 cup of lemon juice to your normal sized laundry load during the rinse cycle

Clean those stained food-storage containers: Rub lemon juice on the spots (from tomato sauce for example) and let dry in a sunny place. After, wash as usual

There's lots more great ideas to come this week!

(Image:www.saphir.nl)

Earth Hour Is Coming!

Don't Forget Saturday NIGHT! 8pm

Turn out the lights, cozy up with friends & loved ones and do your part in saving the planet, raising awareness and having fun!

I can't wait to hear how it went. I'll be in Connecticut at my parents house, without the city lights, it's going to be might dark! I can't wait...

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Go Green in 7 days

As the weekend approaches so does the ever growing pile of laundry. While you are working hard this week to go green, maybe it's finally time to switch to eco-friendly laundry products. There are many brands ranging from laundry detergent to fabric softener. Here are some of my favorites:

Mrs. Meyer's Lavender Line
This line is so luxurious and includes all you could need! I've included links to their website. If you can't find Mrs. Meyer's in your hood, you can order them from Drugstore.com (where you can also pick up lots of other organic and natural goodies). Mrs. Meyer's has lots of other scent options, but lavender is just my favorite.

Mrs. Meyer's Lavender Fabric Softener
Mrs. Meyer's Lavender Detergent
Mrs. Meyer's Dryer Sheets

If you're looking to save some dough and don't want to splurge on Mrs. Meyer's pick up Ecover. The line is great, less scented, but still does the job wonderfully.

Ecover Laundry Wash
Ecover Fabric Softener
Ecover Delicate Wash

(Image:www.midwestmanufacturing.com)

Earth Hour Update

Earth Hour is exploding around us! I've seen SO much about this one, I am so happy!! Tonight Edward Norton is on Larry King Live tonight to discuss Earth Hour and what you can do to be apart of it. So watch that!

Here are some amazing bits & pieces of info to get you excited about your Earth Hour

*A TOTAL OF 175 U.S. CITIES AND TOWNS are going to be apart of Earth Hour, and more are signing up each day

*Broadway (NY) will dim their lights in support

*2,500 CITIES IN 82 COUNTRIES (Quadruple the number of cities that participated last year) are set to join in the Earth Hour efforts

*The following world recognized landmarks are going dark for the occasion: The Eiffel Tower in Paris, Sydney Opera House, Acropolis and Parthenon in Athens and The London Eye and many more...


Turn out. Take action.
Be part of this historic event.
March 28, 2009, 8:30 pm local time

Check out the Earth Hour site for more information and great ideas on how to spend your hour.

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LUSH Loves Seals (and so do I)

LUSH cosmetics, a lovely brand full of deliciously scented skin, hair and bath products has stepped up their commitment to the world around them and are standing strong against seal hunting with their Save Our Seals campaign. LUSH is no stranger to world issues, they carry a ton of vegan products (their non-vegan products include ingredients such as honey and yogurt)and have had many campaigns bringing attention to causes in the past. Their latest cause is an emotional one for sure.

They've partnered with The Sea Shepard Organization (love them!) and are working together with them to bring attention to this form of animal cruelty. You can do your part by picking up their lovely body lotion called Charity Pot. The full proceeds (including tax!) go to Sea Shepard to help with their anti animal cruelty efforts.

If you're not jonesing for some body lotion but could use a nice warm bubble bath pick up their First Swim Limited Edition bubble bar. 100% of the proceeds go straight to the Sea Shepard Organization of course!

While you're on the site, sign the petition and make a difference. Send the petition to friends and shop for a cause! What better justification do you need to treat yourself to some lovely skincare products (not to mention a much deserved bubble bath).

(Images: ecorazzi & lush.com)

Go Green in 7 days

I've been blogging for over a year now, dishing out my eco-tips and interesting things I've learned and discovered along the way, but I think it's time to simplify things and focus on what ALL of us can do in just 1 week to really change the way our lives are running. To alter the eco-path we are currently on and to hopefully start a trend with yourself, your family and of course your friends. I may repeat tips I've mentioned here before, just take that as me hammering it's importance home!

Day 1:

Take a look around, what do you do for the planet? If you can think of a few things, that is great, keep that going. But it is time to take stock of what you do for the planet and what you can be doing, step it up basically! So for day 1 of my 'Go Green in 7 days' challenge, I urge you to take stock, look around at the choices you make when it comes to your skin/haircare, food/drink, recycling habits and cleaning products. I know that even the most eco-concious individual does something they may not realize is harming the environment (or something that they can do a little better, something that would have a smaller eco-footprint). What is that thing? Can you think of a way to change that bad habit/choice?

Tomorrow we'll focus on some easy ways to make those first steps, but it's important to know what you currently do. So go ahead, investigate yourself.

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Michelle Obama Rocks! (Plants actually)

Michelle Obama is ushering in a White House Garden, complete with seasonal herbs & vegetables. And she's working with America's children to get the work done! What better role model and education tool could there be to teach children where food comes from and what they should be eating. I've read a few articles that capture the mood wonderfully. Check them out here and here.

You do it Michelle!

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Eco-Find: Reusable Drinking Straws

We all like drinking through straws don't we! Endulge your love affair and stay eco-friendly at the same time. Pick up a set of stainless steel drinking straws and you'll be drinking with the best of them. They make great housewarming gifts and party favors too! Check them out here

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No More Down Cows!

I just got this great email from Gene Baur and I knew I had to share it! And by the way, it's a email to all Farm Sanctuary members, not a personal one to me...

"I am happy to tell you that no downed cattle will be slaughtered for human food under a new rule announced by President Obama this weekend." -Gene Baur

While this is great news there are still other animals being slaughtered, take a moment and click here and choose the first action alert & update to push the government to continue the momentum and ban all downed animals from being taken to slaughter.

Thanks!

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Nature Inspiration

Spring Cleaning Continues

It's time to ditch those old glasses that are gathering dust in your nightstand. Get your butt off the couch and bring them to the following locations for donation:

Target
BJs Optical Store
Sears
Pearle Vision
LensCrafters
Lions Club

They'll give you a receipt for your taxes as well, hey anything helps! Rest assured that you're old specks are going to someone who really needs them. Let them see the world through your eyes....

(Image:www.newbenefits.com)

Daily Eco: Spring Cleaning

As Spring approaches we all find it time to do the obligatory 'Spring Cleaning'. What better time to clear out the old and ring in the new! Open those windows, air out your home and enjoy the fresh start. Don't forget to donate your gently used clothing, electronics & furniture to your local thrift stores/charity organizations. In this horrible economy (yes I am sick of discussing it too, there are other things going on in the world!)it's important to make sure those items you don't want anymore go to someone who can really use them.

Once you've cleaned out, it's time to clean up. Take stock of your cleaning products and consider investing in more planet friend lines. Great ones include Mrs.Meyer's, Good Home, and Method. The prices are comparable to chemical laden big name brands and in my opinion work ten times better. Make the switch to 100% recycled paper towels an pick up a few wash clothes and you're on your way to planet friendly Spring cleaning bliss...

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Weekend Reading

Time to play catchup on your reading...take the weekend to bone up on the organic, eco-fabulous and natural things going on in the world around you.

San Quentin Prison in San Francisco has the official first prison vegetable garden in California! What a wonderful way to use the earth available their as well as teach patience. Read the article here.

On March 28th Earth Hour will begin at 8:30 pm. Guess what NYC landmarks will be apart of this wonderful statement? Click here to find out

6 HUGE baby bottle manufacturers agree to stop making bottles with BPA plastic! Click here to read details and find out which brands you'll soon be able to purchase again.

Icelandic singer Bjork unveils a new Documentary with the environment at its core, read this article and find out where to see it...

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Meat Myths

I was recently sent a link to "Eat this, Not That" (linked to the Women's Health magazine website, love that magazine!). The article I was sent focused on decoding meat label myths. I've mentioned a lot of this on the blog before, such as when you see 'Natural' that really means nothing since the word is not regulated by the government and anyone can use it on their products...

Here are some of the highlights, cut and pasted directly for your reading pleasure...

The Claim: "Free Range"

The Truth: If the claim conjures images of healthy birds roaming freely about rolling hills, feasting on nature's delicacies, think again. Technically, free-range chickens must have access to the outdoors for at least 51 percent of their lives, but the USDA, which approves each manufacturer's "free-range" claim on a case-by-case basis, does not strictly define "outdoors." The term could mean anything from idyllic open acreage to a puny pen. Guess which is true for the majority of free-range chickens available in supermarkets?

The Claim: "Organic"

The Truth: The organic chicken industry has grown wildly in recent years. Big Agriculture has seen the potential profit boon of charging an average of 100% percent more for organic chickens, and they have secured the coveted (and often pricey) USDA stamp for what some activists argue are less-than-reputable practices. Look for two certification stamps-the Secretary of Agriculture seal and the USDA Organic seal-confirming that the animals were fed organic feed and had access to pasture.

For the rest click here

The bottom line is to research what you eat! The beef Kevin and I purchase from our local health food store is delicious grass fed beef. The package explains where their farm is and I've been to the website and you can visit if you want! Any farm willing to have their customers visit is sticking up for their label claims....If you find this troublesome, look into purchasing your meat in bulk from an online purveyor that you trust, there are so many online now. Worth the shipping cost!

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Eco-Buy

I add vanilla syrup to my iced coffees and chocolate syrup to my ice cream. But what I'd really like feel better about those choices, well here's a start! June Taylor makes delicious and organic syrups, no guilt there...

They can be used in cocktails, drizzled over ice cream or added to a fresh fruit salad. Made from organic fruit, infused with organic herbs and flowers and a minimal amount of sugar they are something special.

Flavors include:

Blackberry & Lemon Verbena, Lemon Thyme, Meyer Lemon & Mint, Provencal Lavender, Rosemary, Rose Geranium and Strawberry Rhubarb! For the rest of the list check out her site (and check her jams too, a must!)

(Image:farm1.static.flickr.com)

Baby Branches

Kevin and I are back from our amazing 2 week honeymoon in Hong Kong! We had a killer time, enjoyed every second of it....

I am happy to report the eco-movement which continues to build steam here in the US has also had quite an impact in Asia. I saw reusable bags everywhere, SIGG bottles for sale at high end department stores and loads of natural skincare available at the drug store. Having lived there for years, I can vouch that this is a change from how it was in the 90's, and what a great change it is! I'll be blogging all week about the eco-friendly choices I saw (and didn't see) while overseas. Stay tuned...

I am excited to share some news...Kevin and I are having a little eco-baby of our own this summer! We are so excited to embark on this adventure. As my eco-mama has written about on this blog before, growing baby green is and will be the wave of the future, and I intend on getting on that wave!

I look forward to engaging the untapped world of an eco-friendly pregnancy which will both protect the environment and my baby. I can't wait to hand pick each and everything that will surround my little one and help them grow. Oh what fun!